Approval sought for distillery change of use at Forss business park
Plans for a Caithness rum distillery will go before Highland Council's north planning applications committee next week.
Permission is being sought for change of use of a unit at Forss Business and Technology Park for general industrial purposes.
The application is being recommended for approval at Tuesday's meeting, subject to conditions.
As reported previously, the North Point Distillery venture is the brainchild of Struan Mackie, who is also a Highland councillor, and close friend Alex MacDonald.
It will be the most northerly rum distillery on the UK mainland and will showcase the history and heritage of the far north. North Point aims to become one of the most sustainable alcohol producers in Scotland.
The planning application relates to a unit known as Murkle House. It will include areas for distillation, alcohol finishing, bottling and packaging, goods and batching, as well as storage, staff and office facilities.
A report from the planning service states: "The development is considered to be appropriate in terms of siting and design, as well as access and parking, and drainage considerations, and is not considered to have an unacceptable impact on the amenity of sensitive properties, the public road network, or result in any unacceptable environmental impacts."