A CAMPAIGN opposing the expansion of the Willowyard whisky maturation bond near Beith is gathering momentum with a public meeting set for Easter Monday.

Whisky distillers Chivas Brothers propose building new maturation warehouses on land they already own at the lochside site in a project that will take five years to complete and result in around 200 mature trees being felled.

Following public consultations on March 25 hosted by Chivas Brothers’ engineering consultants Charles Scott and Partners and attended by 200 people, Tom Hart from Beith Cultural and Heritage Society said: “The consultation had the effect of increasing public anxiety about the scale and nature of the proposals.

“Residents in both Beith and Kilbirnie are very concerned about any further expansion of a site that is already over large.

“There is a lack of any significant extra jobs on a site which has always had few employees despite taking up a large amount of space.

“A different approach to employment growth is needed.” Residents are also concerned about the spread of the black whisky fungus which is currently the subject of a group action being put together against distillers Diageo by residents near tbonded warehouses in Stirlingshire.

Mr Hart continued: “Beith Cultural and Heritage Society is campaigning for major changes in the present proposals before they are submitted as a formal planning application.

“The Society is seeking support from Beith and Kilbirnie and from the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park which already has a southern boundary on Kilbirnie Loch.” The Willowyard site faces the Renfrewshire Council run park on the opposite side of Kilbirnie Loch.

A spokesperson for Clyde Muirshiel said: “The regional park recognises the importance of these operations to the economy of North Ayrshire and the Garnock Valley communities.

“The Park looks forward to constructive discussions and making contributions to any environmental impact assessment.

“We will look at the detailed proposal as it develops.” Maurice McDonald whose property at Mains Lodge will be metres from the new warehouse when completed has set up a website – stopchivasregal.com – to oppose the expansion.

Mr McDonald is also concerned about the safety aspect of being so close to highly flammable liquid. He said: “As a direct result of the Cheapside Street fire in Glasgow, whisky manufacturers sited their warehouses in the countryside – away from populated areas.

“Beith has seen Chivas Brothers expand its warehouses to the extent that the footprint is now bigger than Beith town itself.

“The proposed extension will see the footprint of the Willowyard extend by another third bringing with them the whisky fungus, which is already seeing an impact in the area.

“This whole development brings the storage of highly flammable ethanol even closer to heart of the community.“Chivas Brothers are polluting the environment through the spread of the whisky fungus and polluting the view through their expansion of the maturation warehouses.

“Beith has already taken its fair share of the maturation warehouses – why is it acceptable to add more?

A Chivas Brothers spokesperson said: “The development proposals are to add six new warehouse buildings to the existing Willowyard maturation site, with work taking place over five years, offering new job opportunities to local contractors.

“This land is owned by Chivas Brothers, and has historically been zoned for industrial use.

“Chivas Brothers has no intention of building beyond its land ownership.

“The development ensures that Chivas Brothers retains strong working links to Beith and the surrounding area.” Mr McDonald has disputed the number of warehouses being built. He said: “The warehouses are sub divided. They give the impression that there are fewer – six – but the roofs join and they are divided inside.

“The buildings are connected to maximise the space.

“Compare the scale of them to the original ones and they are much larger. Taking into account this division, they are the equivalent of approximately 14 to 16.” The public meeting is on Easter Monday (April 21) in the Parish Church Hall, Kirk Road, Beith, at 7.30pm.