You are not logged in.
Scottish distillery claims £184m against council
17 November, 2008
A Scottish whisky distillery is seeking £184m compensation from its local council.
A Scottish whisky distillery is seeking £184m compensation from its local council.
Gordon and MacPhail, who own Benromach Distillery in Forres, is pursuing a claim against Moray Council over flood alleviation work.
The company said the work would come at a significant long-term cost, because of the need to protect water quality.
A Gordon and MacPhail spokesperson told BBC Scotland: "The Flood Alleviation Scheme is welcomed wholeheartedly by Gordon and MacPhail because of the obvious benefits to the people of Forres.
"However, it comes at a significant long-term cost to our company because of the need to protect the continuity and quality of our water supply.”
Moray Council said in a statement: "We can confirm that a compensation claim of £184m has been submitted in respect of the Burn of Mosset flood alleviation scheme.
"The council undertook significant and costly works to improve and protect the water supply for the distillery as part of the scheme, so we are surprised that such a claim has been made.
"This is especially so given the condition of the spring before work commenced, as evidenced at the public inquiry by Dr Alan MacDonald.
"However, negotiations on the claim are at a very early stage."
