PROPOSALS for a mixed-use development in Falkland, Fife and a range of new facilities for the village are set to go out for public consultation.
Scotch Whisky Investments (SWI) is bringing forward the proposals, with the development forming part of a multi-million-pound investment in Fife, including a single malt Scotch whisky storage and bottling facility in Glenrothes.
The business, which is involved in the whisky asset management sector, has a licence to offer financial investment products in the form of bottles and casks of single malt Scotch whisky issued by the Dutch Authority for Financial Markets (AFM). SWI revealed that it seeks to showcase the history of, and educate people about single malt Scotch whisky, as well as promote investment in the commodity.
The company hopes to deliver a mixed-use development at the former St John’s Works site. This includes proposals for a new corporate HQ building with restaurants, museum and serviced accommodation and ‘extensive’ community facilities for Falkland.
The 3.64-hectare St John’s Work’s site was formerly a linoleum factory and then taken over by Smith Anderson, a manufacturer of paper bags, before its closure in 2013, after which it was demolished.
This HQ building aims to act as a ‘centrepiece’ for learning about and showcasing single malt Scotch whisky, as well as providing a place of hospitality for investors. It will be designed to house the global admin functions of the company itself.
A spokesperson at SWI said, “We’re delighted to be giving the public the chance to have a say on our development proposals at Falkland. This exciting development provides much-needed investment in the community with a globally recognised headquarters for Scotch Whisky Investments.
“We are consulting extensively to ensure that that the public have an opportunity to input their views and shape our proposals. We encourage the community to attend, raise any questions they may have and provide feedback.”
The Scottish Government has suspended in-person public consultation events due to Covid-19. Full details about the proposals will be available to the public at 9am on August 2 on the dedicated project website: https://orbitconsultations.scot/falkland/. An online consultation will take place between 3pm and 8pm that day.
A second in-person public consultation will be held on September 14 between 4.30pm and 7.30pm at Falkland Community Hall.
