A bit of cheer for Jedburgh

Plans for a new distillery on the site of the former Jedforest Hotel have again been approved by Scottish Border Council, reviving hopes for new jobs in Jedburgh.
The Jedforest Hotel on the outskirts of Jedburgh is being turned into a distillery creating over forty jobs in the Scottish Borders.The Jedforest Hotel on the outskirts of Jedburgh is being turned into a distillery creating over forty jobs in the Scottish Borders.
The Jedforest Hotel on the outskirts of Jedburgh is being turned into a distillery creating over forty jobs in the Scottish Borders.

The plans for the distillery on the site of the former hotel at Camptown were first unveiled in 2013 by Mossburn Distillers, owned by Dutch drinks company Marussia Beverages.

The stated aim at the time was to embark on a staged development, expected to grow over a 20-year period, starting with a small distillery on land to the east of the hotel with a 36-seat cafe and a range of office buildings.

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That was to evolve into the construction, on the north of the site, of the main Mossburn distillery, capable of producing 25 million litres of spirit a year and featuring four copper distillation vessels, as well as 21 fermentation tanks.

The project was costed at £40m and the company indicated it would create 50 jobs.

However, the plans never got off the ground, and the latest round of planning permission for the project, granted in January 2017, has since lapsed.

Residents in Jedburgh had feared the development was no longer going ahead, but now a new planning proposal for the site has been approved by Scottish Borders Council.

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At a meeting of the council’s planning and building standards committee, held on Monday, councillors were urged to approve the plans by planning officers.

A report, circulated to councillors, reads: “The proposed development would still represent a significant economic investment within the Borders.

“Although consent for this development has lapsed, the development proposed in this repeat application is the same development which was previously supported by the planning and building standards committee and did not require any further intervention by the Scottish ministers following notification to address flooding matters.”

East Berwickshire councillor Jim Fullarton said: “This a fantastic opportunity to see a visitor attraction coming to the Borders, particularly on the A68.

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“I think the design of the visitor centre is stunning, and quite striking indeed.

“I think this is a fantastic opportunity for the Borders, and no doubt, tariffs on whisky by America might delay this, but I really wish the developer well.”

Mid Berwickshire councillor Helen Laing said: “This is obviously going to be job-creating, bring visitors to the area and will be a good addition. I’m pleased to see no environmental issues have raised, so I’m completely supportive of this.”

Hawick councillor Neil Richards said: “This is very exciting, and having been over this project before, now obviously updated, but essentially a great, great opportunity. I fully support.”

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Jedburgh councillor Scott Hamilton said: “The only views I have on this are very positive.

“You can obviously see from the application that the designs fit very well into the landscape.

“It’s a modern design that incorporates what is a very beautiful landscape in that area.

“I look forward to this development, I’m glad it’s back on the table and I’m looking forward to it more positively than ever.”

Councillors voted unanimously to again grant planning permission for the distillery.

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