Whisky giant abandons plans for £150m facility near Kilmarnock

Plans to build a controversial £150 million whisky maturation facility in East Ayrshire have been abandoned.

Suntory Global Spirits was granted permission last year to build the site at South Drumboy farm in Kilmarnock.

It followed Scottish Government ministers overruling environmental objections from people living and working near the site.

Beam-Suntory, the Japanese company which took over US whiskey giant Jim Beam, produces well-known whisky brands including Laphroaig, Bowmore, Auchentoshan, Teacher’s, Glen Garioch, Ardmore, and Ardray.

Suntory claimed the plant would have held up to half a million barrels of spirits at any one time and would bring around 45 jobs to the area.

The company has now confirmed it will not progress with the project and will instead be “redirecting investment to a local maturation facility”.

A Suntory Global Spirits spokesperson said: “Suntory Global Spirits is deeply committed to Scotland and the long-term success of our Scotch whisky brands.

“While we are no longer progressing with the Kingswell project, we are redirecting investment to a local maturation facility.

“Our investment in Scotland will continue as we remain focused on the long-term sustainability of our operations, brands and contribution to the economy.”

Objectors to the development had focused on the potential impact on the health and amenity of those living in the vicinity, and the environment, including the impact on the protected peatland.

Several questioned the issue of noise levels and the risk around the ethanol released through the barrels of whisky into the surrounding area.

However, planners pointed out that there had been no objections from the council’s environmental health team, SEPA, Ayrshire Roads Alliance or NatureScot.