Shropshire gin production plan wins go-ahead

Charles Pinckney has received approval to build a barn at Wood Farm in Boraston, near Tenbury Wells, that will be used to produce his Pinckney’s Gin.

It follows a resubmission after Shropshire Council turned down a previous proposal.

Planning agent Dyanne Humphreys said the “small-scale enterprise” will diversify the 65-acre holding.

She added that the product would also serve to raise the profile of Shropshire by marketing it as a unique county product.

She said: “The production of local food and drink is a main vision for Shropshire, promoted throughout the development plan.

“This small-scale venture seeks to establish a Shropshire-branded gin to supply both local retailers such as The Ludlow Food Centre and Apley Farm Shop but also national retailers, thus raising the profile of Shropshire through this quality product.

“It is intended to use the water extracted from the bore hole on the farm to cut with the alcohol to give the product a unique Shropshire brand. Once cut, the drink is bottled and ready for distribution."

Ms Humphreys said that sloe berries for the drink would be harvested on the farm.

She said: “Some of the gin will be compounded with fruits to create fruit flavoured gin, and the harvest fruits from the farm itself will be used, further reinforcing the connection to the farm and the unique Shropshire brand.

“Native hedgerows have been planted on the farm containing blackthorn from where sloe berries are harvested. Mulberry trees are also to be planted to create a unique mulberry gin.”

The business is expected to employ one or two people within its first three years of production.

The previous application was turned down because planning officers felt it did not constitute farm business diversification.

By Emily Lloyd, local democracy reporter