A NEW gin distillery is set to be arriving on the doorstep of Launceston soon.

A planning application was submitted to Cornwall Council in November 2018 for the conversion and change of use of a redundant agricultural building to a new gin distillery and distribution facility, with ancillary cafe, seating and retail sales area, at land south west of Treguddick Manor in South Petherwin, near Launceston. The applicant is Mr John Walters, with the agent being PLACE architects Ltd, formerly Parkes Lees Architects, based in Launceston.

Cornwall Council’s east-sub committee has since approved the application with conditions, following a meeting on Monday, April 1.

Although the land in question is not currently being used for any agricultural purpose, the adjacent site is a ‘historic dwelling site’ which comprises a farmstead courtyard with two main redundant agricultural barns and a small ruined barn.

According to the revised design and structure document regarding the proposal, the design has aimed to ‘make the proposed business and its accompanying change of use as low impact as possible’, due to the adjacent listed buildings being of historic interest. The applicant has therefore noted that any changes would have to be ‘minimal’.

The gin distillery will offer a range of bespoke drink products, with the building being used as a production and distribution centre ‘incorporating limited guided tours exhibiting the process of gin distilling, merchandising of product, associated with this distilling operation, at the end of the tours and the preparation and sale for consumption on the premises’. There will be additional on-site parking and an area specifically for distribution and deliveries.

However, opposition to the plans included South Petherwin Parish Council and Cornwall Councillor, Neil Burden, for safety reasons relating to the junction and road.

The parish council submitted a consultee comment, saying they had ‘significant concerns’ relating to highway safety. A spokesperson said: “South Petherwin Parish Council took the view that this application should not be supported. The Cornwall Council planning officer had stated that ‘the application demonstrated a safe and suitable access’, the parish council however expressed significant concerns regarding highway safety, stating ‘the proposed entrance would result in slow traffic emerging, and traffic slowing to turn left, on a fast (70mph, national speed limit) and busy dual carriageway. These concerns are compounded by the right hand turn to Hicks Mill/Polyphant, which is only a few hundred metres away from this application’s exit and entrance. This could result in slowing traffic in both lanes leaving cars travelling at 70mph no where to go’.

“In order to fully grasp the concerns expressed a recommendation from the parish council proposed that the planning committee should have a site visit, which would enable the planning committee to fully understand the reasoning behind the parish council’s view.”

Cornwall Councillor for the Stoke Climsland division, Neil Burden, has highlighted his concerns for the proposal, and was disappointed that the application was approved.

“As you see by the report, even Highways England state that this junction, which the whole debate centres around, is a challenging one, and that any increase in traffic movements should not be encourages,” he said.

However, the authority did not recommend the application ‘be refused on highway grounds’, according to Cllr Burden, who continued: “The parish council and myself, as well as local people, objected to this application as we all feel deep concern at the safety of greater use at this junction where the vehicles speed down the hill to Two Bridges.

“We had an informal site meeting the Friday before the meeting and it took many minutes for each car to join the carriageway travelling west. The Cornwall highways officer also spoke in support of the application, which was very disappointing.

“I am very sad that such highway officers take no cognisance of local knowledge. We have the constant concern at Plusha where large artics overhang the carriageway when crossing. On one hand, Highways England say the junctions are dangerous in this section of the A30 but seem to lack any resolve when greater use is planned for a tourist enterprise without purposeful improvements.

“We have had this before — I reminded the committee of the folly when the dual carriageway was built at Kennards House without a flyover when I was castigated for saying that it would lead to fatalities. Sadly, with other local users we were right and after eight fatalities of locals and travellers the flyover was constructed. You can’t regulate the number of tourists using this junction and how long will we have to ait to witness a fatality? Not good.”

Cllr Burden added that he left the meeting feeling ‘very disheartened’ at the outcome.

On the other hand, Mark Kemp from PLACE architects Ltd, based in Launceston, was delighted with the result, claiming that the new gin distillery will bring new jobs into the area, while putting Cornwall on the map.

Speaking about the result, he said: “It is brilliant! We’re absolutely delighted that the application has been approved. It’s taken a little while, but we’re finally there.”

He explained that one application was submitted to Cornwall Council, which had to be withdrawn due to the concern surrounding the junction in question.

“For about a year, we have been negotiating with Highways England and actually had to change the business proposal,” Mr Kemp continued.

The original plan was to have the site as a visitor attraction and an outlet for business sales, as the applicant, Mr John Walters, already owns a successful gin business in Essex — known in the gin world as the popular Dr J’s Gin. However, with the junction being an issue for the original application, PLACE architects and Highways England have undergone a lengthy period of discussions to draw up a more suitable application for the business model.

“There will be a whole new business going in there, with more regulated deliveries,” Mr Kemp continued. “There will be an opportunity to pre-arrange trips to see how gin is made. It’s going to bring new full-time, good quality jobs into the area.”

The applicant has also bought the Tregiddick Manor house, a grade-listed building, where they hope to relocate over time. It is hoped from then on that Cornish water and herbs grown in the garden there will be used for the products at the distillery.

The revised plans should no longer be a problem for people, according to Mr Kemp, who said: “Highways England looked at it — it’s not easy to get past them. We also consulted with Cornwall Council’s highways engineers, who didn’t object in the end either.

“There will be jobs for a start, and the site will be invested into. It puts Cornwall on the map — it’s a great thing for a successful business.”

Are you looking forward to seeing a new gin business in the area? Email [email protected]