Plans for new Penderyn whisky distillery and visitor centre in Llandundo to be considered at virtual meeting

A council will hold its inaugural planning committee meeting via remote technology and first up are proposals for a whisky distillery and visitor centre.

Conwy has not held any public meetings since the start of the pandemic, but after new legislation from Welsh Government it has organised a virtual planning committee for Wednesday, May 13.

It marks what may turn out to be the format for council meetings for the foreseeable future, as local authorities struggle to carry on with business against the backdrop of social distancing measures.

A note posted on the council’s website said: “This will be a virtual meeting and ‘attendance’ will be restricted to Planning Committee Members and any registered public speakers.

“The meeting will be recorded for live or subsequent transmission via the council’s internet site.”

Anybody wishing to view the Planning Committee live can do so on the council’s Facebook page.

“We are aiming to live stream the meeting but if that fails a recording of the meeting will be available once the meeting has concluded.”

Up for discussion is a proposal to convert the Grade II listed Old Board School on Lloyd Street, Llandudno, into a new Penderyn Whisky distillery and visitor centre, initially built in the 19th Century.

In addition to internal changes to the building there will be car parking for 47 visitor care, plus six staff.

Up to seven staff per shift will be employed and the company behind the project, The Welsh Whisky Company Ltd, will operate tours of the distillery for up to 20 people at a time.

There also plans to market the venue for corporate events and parties and future plans for 24 distillation of whisky on the site.

A retail shop will operate between 9am-5pm seven days a week if planning committee members agree. Listed building consent is still pending for the site.

Mostyn ward councillor Pat Hebron has registered “concerns about the potential impact on local residents and businesses from odour, whiskey fungus, frequent vehicle movement and deliveries, ethanol production, flammability and 24-hour distillery processing”.

A number of residents have lodged objections to the development, citing smells and potential incursion of “whisky fungus”.
Whisky fungus is a black fungus that grows when ethanol is released into the atmosphere.

Planning officers have recommended granted conditional planning consent with decisions delegated to the council’s development and building control manager.

By Jez Hemming – Local Democracy Reporter