Plans for a £4million expansion of a north-east distillery could be thrown out next week.
Glenglassaugh Distillery in Portsoy wants to build six new warehouses to store whisky at its plant off the A98 Banff to Fochabers road.
But planning chiefs have urged councillors to refuse the application, amid concerns about the impact it would have on a neighbouring property.
Director of infrastructure services Stephen Archer said that while the project would bring economic benefits to Portsoy, a nearby cottage would be overshadowed by the erection of the sixth warehouse.
In a report to the Banff and Buchan area committee, Mr Archer states: “The service is keen to support such proposals which are envisaged to help provide a significant economic benefit to the local and wider area, but unfortunately on this occasion, with the proposal as it currently stands, the impact is too significant.”
He suggests that a resolution could be found if Glenglassaugh Distillery was willing to forego building the sixth warehouse, or if it revised its height or placement.
“However, the applicant maintains that no further revisions are viable, nor do they consider it to be necessary,” he adds.
Distillery chiefs believe the development would help secure the 11 permanent jobs on the site and create four new positions.
They are also of the opinion that the growing reputation of the Glenglassaugh brand would bring “significant” benefits to Portsoy.
The distillery is owned by Edinburgh firm BenRiach Distillery Company.
The company set aside £25million this summer as part of an investment to buy up bottles of its own whiskies from privately-owned collections as it tries to keep pace with fast-growing global sales.