Planning permission granted for Simpsons Malt Limited to build new maltings in Rothes
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FORTY new jobs could be created in Moray after planning permission in principle was granted for a new state-of-the-art maltings on the outskirts of Rothes.
Simpsons Malt Limited was granted permission in principle for the maltings, along with malting barley storage facilities, at a special meeting of Moray Council's planning and regulatory services committee on Wednesday, February 15.
Eight of the 13 councillors in attendance approved the building of the facility, which will be located at Greens of Rothes, while four backed an amendment put forward by Councillor Draeyk Van Der Horn (Greens, Forres) to reject the proposal.
The meeting heard from Simpsons Malt Limited management, as well as three local stakeholders who hoped the proposal would be turned down.
Simpsons Malt managing director Tim McCreath stated that "up to 40 jobs" would be created in Rothes as a result of the £65 million investment.
"This development will be to the benefit of the town of Rothes and the region of Moray, with the creation of up to 40 skilled and semi-skilled jobs, from engineers to laboratory technicians, from drivers to operators," he said.
"We will be buying 60 thousand tonnes of malted barley from local farmers to go into our store at Keith, which benefits the local economy.
"If we do not build, then the malt will come from somewhere else, whether that's England or Europe."
Speaking after the meeting, Mr McCreath added: “Two-and-a-half years since entering into the agreement to purchase the land at Greens of Rothes, we are delighted that Moray Council have granted planning permission in principle for our proposed maltings in Rothes.
“Operating a maltings in the heart of Scotch whisky country will enable us to operate more efficiently and sustainably, while also assisting our end user customers in the area with their own sustainability objectives.
“We would like to place on record our sincere thanks to the local community for their cooperation and support throughout the process.
"We would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge comments raised in the objections and will seek to work closely with the local community to find the best solutions that we can as the project moves forward.”
A number of issues were raised at Wednesday's meeting – with traffic, noise pollution and a potential conflict of interest mentioned by those hoping planning permission would be denied.
Marion Ross, chair of Speyside Community Council, said she was "unconvinced there is no other suitable site" for the development in Moray
She added: "The environment must be protected from inappropriate industrial developments like this.
"There is no local need for this facility. This application represents a significant departure from Moray's Local Development Plan."
Local resident Jean Richardson said that Rothes residents are already experiencing significant noise levels which "should not be added to".
"This development would be a dominant feature on the landscape as you approach Rothes and it would create the impression that Rothes is not a rural town but an industrial site," she added.
Co-applicant Edward Mountain is a Conservative MSP - but Marc Macrae (Conservative, Fochabers-Lhanbryde) insisted there was no conflict of interest, with no councillor having personal ties to Mr Mountain.
Simpsons Malt – which employs 370 people UK-wide – have two maltings currently, one in Berwick-upon-Tweed, where the company is headquartered, and one in Norfolk.
The Rothes maltings will have an annual production capacity of 85,000 tonnes. The barley used at the site will be transported in from grain stores in Keith and Stracathro.
