SCOTCH Whisky Investments (SWI) has unveiled plans for the delivery of a new mixed-use development in Falkland, Fife.
The proposals include a new ‘iconic’ corporate headquarters building with restaurants, a museum, and hotel accommodation, as well as ‘extensive’ community facilities for the Fife village.
It is earmarked for the 3.64-hectare site of the former St John’s Works. Formerly a linoleum factory, it was taken over by a manufacturer of paper bags before its closure in 2013 and subsequent demolition.
SWI said that the plans would deliver ‘significant’ investment, as well as creating employment and tourism opportunities for Falkland. It added that the HQ building would aim to act as a ‘centrepiece’ for learning about and showcasing single malt Scotch Whisky, as well as providing a place of hospitality for worldwide investors.
It also intends to relocate the world famous Valentino Zagatti whisky collection, which it said is one of the largest in the world, from the Netherlands to a museum within the building. Comprising more than 3,000 bottles, close to 300 whisky brands, most of which are ‘extremely rare’, the collection was created by Italian, Valentino Zagatti.
Community facilities in the project will come in the form of an additional public car park, a multi-use village green, micro-forest, and play park at the site. A ‘small number’ of cottages would also be created on the north edge of the site. Their uses would be as ancillary offices for the headquarters building, as well as visitor accommodation, with some staff accommodation and specialist shops mixed in.
A planning application for four whisky storage warehouses, maintenance and bottling buildings, and offices at Southfield Industrial Estate on Crompton Road in Glenrothes has also been submitted to Fife Council by SWI in March, with a further 20 warehouses now being proposed for the 5.4-hectare site.
Proposal of application notices (PANs) have been submitted to Fife Council for both the Falkland development and expansion of the Glenrothes facility, heralding the intent to submit a planning application for these following a minimum 12-week consultation period.
Keith Rennie, director for Scotch Whisky Investments, said, “We are delighted to be bringing forward ambitious proposals for Falkland and Glenrothes as part of a significant investment programme for Fife. Our vision as a company is to showcase and educate people about single malt Scotch whisky, as well as promote investment in the commodity and provide new facilities for Falkland.
“Through this activity, complemented by the expansion of our facilities in Glenrothes, considerable employment and tourism opportunities will be delivered not just for Fife, but for Scotland as a whole. We look forward to engaging with the public on these proposals and keeping the community updated as they progress.”
