A decision to grant planning permission for a whisky storage facility in St Cyrus, Aberdeen, has sparked significant opposition from local residents, who claim the move puts their health and safety at risk. Despite objections, the proposal to transform three farm sheds into a whisky barrel storage space has been approved by the St Cyrus planning committee. The decision allows a yet-to-be-identified major whisky operator to store casks of whisky at the site, which has raised concerns among the local community.

Property developer Snowdrop Developments filed the planning application on behalf of a "mystery whisky client" that currently has over 8,500 casks stored across 34 locations in Scotland. According to the operator, the new facility is essential for the expansion of their business. However, the approval has been met with strong objections from nine local residents who fear the potential dangers associated with the highly flammable nature of whisky production.

Health and safety concerns raised by residents

One of the major concerns raised by residents is the ethanol vapours emitted during the whisky maturation process. Michael Ellery, a local resident who lives just seven metres from one of the sheds earmarked for whisky storage, voiced his fears about the risks of ethanol exposure. He highlighted the toxic and explosive nature of the ethanol vapours, claiming that these could pose a significant threat to the health and safety of the community.

In response to these concerns, Snowdrop Developments and senior planner Gregor Spence reassured the planning committee that the facility would be managed with appropriate safety measures in place. Spence argued that, when operated properly, the facility should not pose any significant risk of fire or explosion. He also downplayed the health risks from ethanol vapours, stating that they are considered limited when the storage facility is functioning correctly.

Local residents voice opposition

Despite reassurances from Snowdrop Developments, local residents remain deeply concerned about the potential hazards. Pat Bailey, who lives near the proposed whisky storage site, expressed concerns over the impact of ethanol vapours on local quality of life. She described the vapours as causing skin irritation, eye damage, and respiratory issues such as shortness of breath and nausea. Bailey emphasized that the community had conducted extensive research and was not overreacting, stressing that their primary concern was protecting their homes and health.

In addition to concerns about ethanol vapours, Bailey raised the issue of black mould, a problem that has been linked to whisky aging facilities. Black mould, which grows in areas with high ethanol vapour concentrations, can cause significant damage to nearby properties. Bailey warned that the residents of St Cyrus could experience similar issues, making it uncomfortable to open windows or live near the facility.

Previous cases highlight risks of ethanol vapours

The issue of black mould caused by ethanol vapours has previously made headlines in the whisky industry. In 2022, Jack Daniel’s faced a lawsuit in the United States after ethanol vapours from its ageing whiskey facility allegedly caused black mould to develop on nearby properties. This mould coated houses, cars, trees, and road signs in Lincoln County, Tennessee, and had a detrimental impact on property values. A local resident even claimed to have spent $10,000 per year power-washing her house to remove the mould.

A similar case occurred in 2019 in Falkirk, Scotland, where a couple sued whisky giant Diageo for £40,000, claiming that black mould caused by ethanol vapours from the company’s Bonnybridge whisky bond had devalued their property by 5-10%. These incidents have raised awareness of the potential dangers posed by whisky storage facilities and sparked public debate over the balance between business growth and community safety.

Approval despite opposition

Despite the concerns voiced by local residents, the St Cyrus planning committee voted unanimously to approve the application for the whisky storage facility. The decision allows the mystery whisky operator to go ahead with its plans to store whisky barrels in the area. While the approval marks a win for the business, it has left many local residents feeling ignored and concerned about the potential risks they face from the facility's operation.

As the whisky storage facility moves forward, it remains to be seen whether the safety measures put in place will be sufficient to address the concerns of the St Cyrus community. For now, residents continue to voice their opposition, hoping that their concerns about health and safety will not be overlooked in the pursuit of business expansion.