Plans for an extension to Bushmills Distillery bottling facility submitted to Causeway Coast and Glens Council

A planning application for an extension to the existing bottling facility at Old Bushmills Distillery in Bushmills has been submitted to Causeway Coast and Glens Council.

Old Bushmills Distillery (OBD) is Ireland’s oldest working distillery and covers a large site area in excess of 25 hectares in Bushmills village. The facility contains two listed buildings in the centre of the site.

The application is for an extension to the whiskey bottling plant facility and recladding of existing whiskey bottling plant facility and associated works including development of electrical transformer building.

placeholder image — The application is for an extension to the whiskey bottling plant facility and recladding of existing whiskey bottling plant facility and associated works including development of electrical transformer building.

A Planning Statement said: “The bottling facilities at the existing OBD site within Bushmills village are being expanded to facilitate an increase in packaging output. This process is linked to the recent development of a second distillery and the increased maturation capability associated with the off-site maturation facility at Haw Road.

"The expansion will increase the packaging capacity from 1.6 million cases to 4.5 million cases. The extension is proposed to be clad in brick to provide proven longevity on-site and a link to the historic buildings on-site. The choice of brick also assists with general wear, as evidenced in other masonry buildings across the distillery.

"The proposed development was subject pre applications discussions with DfC Historic Environment Division. The principle of development was supported, and design feedback was considered and recommended amendments to the design were implemented.

"The development will result in a high-quality facility, which has been sensitively designed and will be well integrated into the OBD estate without unacceptable impacts on the adjacent listed buildings or residential properties in Bushmills village.”

The application will now go to the Planning Committee of Causeway Coast and Glens Council for consideration.