Councillors in Moray have approved plans for a new whisky distillery on Speyside.

Chivers Brothers Ltd will build the new project on the site of the former Imperial Distillery at Carron. Production ceased at the site in the 1980s.

The original distillery buildings have already been demolished to make way for the new development in the area.

On Tuesday, a report to the Council's Planning and Regulatory Services Committee said: "The new facility occupies a smaller footprint and the remaining land within the site will be retained and contribute to the setting of the new distillery."

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Committee Chairman Councillor Douglas Ross said it was a major development for Speyside and Moray.

He added: "This application was submitted in late December and less than four months later it has now been approved which I hope shows that Moray is open for business and will work with applicants and communities to ensure we get a decision as quickly as possible.

"The applicants also took part in a pre-application process with the council and local people and this has helped the application to progress swiftly.

"Moray and Speyside are well known around the world for their contribution to the whisky industry and I’m sure this new distillery will be another welcome addition. Its location in Carron, replacing the former distillery, is very picturesque and it is pleasing that local people will now have a new distillery complex of a more modern contemporary design in their area."

(JP/CD)