Plans to build what could be one of the world’s first carbon-neutral distilleries have been given the green light.
Gin and whisky producer Eden Mill has been given full planning permission for a new distillery and visitor centre in St Andrews.
A 50-year land lease has been signed with the University of St Andrews, with the new building to be constructed on its Eden Campus – which provides a base for zero-carbon, sustainable businesses.
Stella Morse, chairwoman of the board of directors at Eden Mill St Andrews, said the drinks firm is “delighted” to have been granted planning permission and to have signed the lease for its “new and ambitious contemporary gin and single malt Scotch whisky distillery”.
Eden Mill founder and managing director Paul Miller said: “The vision for the Eden Mill distillery has been closely developed with the University of St Andrews.
“Its fabulous location at the mouth of the River Eden meets the romantic requirements for single malt Scotch whisky, while the strictly sustainable nature of our new distillery and the environmentally innovative surroundings of the campus are perfect for our progressive brand.”
Derek Watson, quaestor and factor at the University of St Andrews, said they have now reached an “exciting milestone in the relationship between the University of St Andrews and Eden Mill which has been based at what is now the Eden Campus for a decade”.
He added: “The regeneration of the former paper mill site and the creation of Eden Campus is a major strategic move for the university which will provide an exceptional working environment for our staff, breathe new life into the local economy of Guardbridge, and have a beneficial impact on the town of St Andrews and beyond.”
At the start of this year, Edinburgh-based private equity firm Inverleith secured a majority stake in Eden Mill.
The craft gin and Scotch whisky brand was established in 2012 by Tony Kelly and Paul Miller, with the new investment set to see the company push forward with its distillery build, which is aiming to open in late 2022, as well as expanding distribution in the UK and internationally.
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