AN APPLICATION to store 625,000 tons of alcohol at Grants Distillery in Girvan has been submitted to the planning team at South Ayrshire Council.

William Grant And Sons Distillers Ltd want to store liquid ethanol at their site which sits on Ladywell Avenue in Girvan. 

The proposal was made valid on May 18 and is being dealt with. A decision has yet to be made and the applicant will be contacted by the development management case officer if further information is required.

William Grant & Sons Ltd. is an independent, family-owned Scottish company which distills Scotch whisky and other selected categories of spirits. 

It was established in 1887 by William Grant, and is now run by the descendants of the founder. It is the largest of the handful of Scotch whisky distillers remaining in family ownership. “William Grant & Sons” is often abbreviated to “W. Grant & Sons” or just “Grant’s”, after their blended whisky of the same name. 

Alcohol, or ethanol, which they want to store, is the intoxicating agent found in beer, wine and liquor. It is a clear, volatile liquid that is highly soluble in water. 

The absorption of alcohol (ethanol) is decreased by food, especially fatty food.

Experts say that alcohol is metabolised primarily (90 percent) in the liver. As ethanol is flammable, it is advised that care should be taken with storing and using the fuel. 

As with all flammable liquids,ethanol should be stored in a cool dry place out of direct sunlight. If so, it is recommended that ethanol is allowed to come to room temperature before use.

If sealed, ethanol can last for years. In warm conditions, some ethanol may evaporate if left uncovered so bottles of ethanol fuel should always kept sealed when not in use.

There are some concerns about the safety of the substance regarding irritation of the skin, damaging eyesight, indigestion and inhaling ethanol over a long period of time.

Jill Cronin, South Ayrshire Council’s Head of Enterprise, Development and Leisure, said: “There is strict legislation in place to govern the processing of an application for Hazardous Substances Consent. 

“We work closely with the Health and Safety Executive who provide guidance for cases involving the storage and use of potentially hazardous substances. 

“The HSE response informs our assessment of a planning application, as part of the statutory process.”

Grants Distillery previously placed an advert in the Carrick Herald, advising readers of their plans. A copy of their application was available to be inspected at the Gatehouse in Girvan.

The applicants had not responded with a comment before we went to press.