A HELENSBURGH firm is making its mark in the world of whisky – after being asked to design a distillery in Devon.

And although the design for the distillery, in Princetown on Dartmoor, has been decried by some of its neighbours for being ‘too Scottish’, Gareth Roberts, of Organic Architecture, says the commission – following hard on the heels of the design of distilleries in Scotland, England, Ireland and China – is helping establish his firm on a global scale.

The distillery, set to be built in Princetown, would be the largest in the UK, outwith Scotland.

The design for the project shows a pagoda-style roof which has had some complaints from locals.

The design is currently under consideration by the Dartmoor National Park planning authority and has gained publicity because the landowner is the Duchy of Cornwall. The design is set to be considered by the planning committee on March 3.

Mr Roberts said: “These craft distilleries are small. They produce around 100,000 to 200,000 litres of spirit each year, compared with the global brands which produce many millions of litres each year.”

Locals have complained that the design is not typical of the area and that Princetown is not in Scotland and the look is not in keeping with the local area.

Mr Roberts added: “The craft distilleries are often built in very beautiful areas and the experience of the visitor is carefully thought out and designed into the building. Visitor income is becoming a significant feature of the distillery business.

“A new distillery creates around 10 new jobs directly, and independent studies show that each new distillery produces an additional 130 jobs in the local economy. There are few other attractive rural businesses which have such a positive effect on the local economy.”

Organic Architects has an office in Helensburgh and as well as producing community buildings, residential properties, social housing and conservation buildings among others, they have built up a specialism in designing distilleries.