February 5, 2018 3.02 pm This story is over 73 months old

Cheers! Go-ahead for gin distillery in Lincolnshire Wolds

Plans were approved.

A gin distillery will be moving to a sleepy village in the Lincolnshire Wolds after the plans were given the green light by councillors despite fierce objections from local residents.

Councillors on East Lindsey District Council’s Planning Committee approved proposals for the micro-distillery in Driby at a meeting in Manby on Thursday, February 1.

The plans were submitted by Indigo Planning on behalf of award-winning Bottomley Distillers Ltd by Alan Bottonely and Amy Conyard.

The couple are already well-know for producing the first Lincolnshire distilled gin ‘Pin Gin’.

They will move into the outbuildings at Foreman’s Cottage in the village off the A16 from their former home in Louth.

Photo: Pin Gin

The distillers are currently based in a garage but have outgrown the space.

The developers have said that the distillery will help to promote a strong rural economy and support the sustainable growth and expansion of a growing business and enterprise.

It will be operational from 7am to 11pm.

The development has been controversial, with villagers concerned about the disruption it could create and impact on the neighbouring graveyard.

Keith Walmsley said: “This has been a holy site for a millennium, and deserves vigilance and continuing respect.

“The presence of a gin distillery would be insensitive and inappropriate in a way that more subtle crafts (bookbinding, basket-making) would not.”

Another Driby resident added: “This is a site of outstanding natural beauty, not a play area for the rich.”