Glen Luss distillery plans receive green light from Loch Lomond Park Authority

Patrick Colquhoun (right) and the kilted directors of Glen Luss whisky distillery at Luss on Loch Lomondside.

By Andy Galloway, Local Democracy Reporter

in the Helensburgh Advertiser

exp-player-logo PLANNING permission has been granted for a mixed use development in Luss on Loch Lomondside, including a distillery, warehouse, retail, restaurant and visitor centre.

The Loch Lomond Group, and Colquhoun family owned Luss Estates, applied to Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority for the former smokehouse site on the village’s Church Road.

The smokehouse closed in October 2019, and planning permission for a similar development was granted by the park authority in 2021.

Only one objection, which was addressed by a planning officer in a handling report, was received from the public during the planning process.

“As it is located in a predominantly residential area, it is necessary to limit the use to that proposed since other class five uses may have different characterises regarding air quality and noise that may not be appropriate in this location without additional assessment and mitigation.

“The representation received highlights concern that the development is not wholly located on an allocated site and would lead to over-tourism within Luss.

“The content of this representation has been noted; however, the proposal is supported under both the local plan’s visitor experience policies, WLLRDF (West Loch Lomondside Rural Development Framework) and therefore also the economic development policies.

“Furthermore, the extant permission also provides significant weight as a material consideration in favour of the proposal.”

The un-named officer added: “The representation received raises concern that the development would lead to visitor impacts within Luss. These concerns are noted however, the proposal has been previously approved and is still supported under the development plan policies and the WLLDRF.

“The roads authority has been consulted on the proposals. They confirm that they have assessed the proposals in light of the consideration to the existing planning permission and also having regard to the Luss South Car Park and the new pedestrian pathways to the eastern site (via the village green and playpark), formed since that previous permissions.”