Gordon and MacPhail Seek £184m Compensation

[John]

Gordon and MacPhail, owners of Benromach Distillery in Forres are seeking compensation of up to £184m from Moray Council. They are pursuing a claim over the Burn of Mosset flood alleviation work.

The company said in a statement the work would come at a significant long-term cost, because of the need to protect water quality.

Moray Council told BBC Scotland it was "surprised" such a claim had been made.

Negotiations on the claim are at a very early stage

Moray Council statement

A Gordon and MacPhail spokesperson said: "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.

"We have tried to have an amicable dialogue with Moray Council for over a year and we were advised that they have appointed the District Valuer to deal with this."

The spokesman went on: "The figure mentioned is not the value of our claim. It is simply a calculation requested by the District Valuer and Moray Council, using the District Valuer's own formula. It would be inappropriate for us to speculate on how Moray Council and the District Valuer intend to use the calculation they requested.

"We continue to seek guidance from Moray Council and the District Valuer."

'Significant works'

However, 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."

John

Source: BBC News

[Bookie]

The world would have gone mad if such a claim is successful. It is unfortunate that Benromach distillery will be effected but surely this will only be while the work is carried out and all possible consideration will be taken while doing so.

Bookie