Simpsons Malts has submitted its planning application to build its £50million maltings on the outskirts of Rothes.
The company wants to build its proposed ‘state-of-the-art’ plant at Greens of Rothes on the B9015 road to Mosstodloch.
The aim is for the maltings to be carbon neutral, and if successful it could create 40 jobs including apprenticeships and produce 100,000 tonnes of malt per annum.
Issues raised by public
Concerns about the plant had previously been raised with the company including odour, visual impact and potential threats to the environment.
However, Steven Rowley, Simpson Malts operations director, said the company had made “some alterations to the plans” following the comments.
The fifth-generation, family business announced that it had entered into an agreement to acquire the 40 acres of farmland at Greens of Rothes in September 2020, subject to planning.
Plans been altered following consultation
Mr Rowley said: “At the in-person event in September, we said to attendees that we intended on having the planning application submitted to Moray Council before the end of October.
“However, after considering comments received at the event, we have spent additional time making some alterations to the plans, while also having further ecological assessments conducted at the site.”
The proposal includes a processing plant, silos and sheds on a 40 acre site to the north of the town.
It is expected to be operational within two years if planning permission is approved, producing an estimated 100,000 tonnes of malt a year.
The company ran an online consultation in July but some people were unable to gain access because of technical issues.
Simpson Malts then held an in-person event at the Grant Hall in Rothes in September.
History spanning more than 150 years
The company has been supplying malt to brewers and distillers for more then 150 years and has sites at Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland and Tivetshall St Margaret, Norfolk.
Rothes has been chosen as a suitable site as it is in the heart of malt whisky country.
The application will be decided by Moray Council’s planning committee.
