BREWDOG AND THE DELUDED COUNCIL
This is a story we did not want to tell the world. But after well over a year of banging our heads against a brick wall with Aberdeenshire Council we feel we had no option but to let the public know what is happening. We are trying to grow our business and provide more local jobs and they are making this impossible. As a result it will cost Ellon employment, investment and facilities.
We want to build a world class hotel, outstanding restaurant, conference centre and bespoke distillery just behind our brewery in Ellon. This project would see us invest £5m into the local area and create over 80 new local jobs. However, the project cannot go ahead because the council are refusing to sell us the land at fair market value, indeed, they are insisting on charging over 60 times fair market value for the land we need to make this exciting local project happen.
On the 12th of May 2016 we had the land valued at £5,000 per acre by established and respected surveyor, DM Hall. We submitted our plans to the council for the distillery and hotel. They demanded £300,000 per acre from us. Over 60 times what an independent surveyor valued the land at. We have spoken with the Council several times since, but they will not budge. We want to invest in our local area and create much needed jobs yet the Council insist on making it impossible for us to do so.
Let’s put this into context. You may well be aware that we are currently building a brewery in Columbus Ohio (we have mentioned it on occasion). The local authority there not only fast-tracked our application and planning consents, they personally ensured nothing took more than a fortnight to get approved. And we paid much less for 52 acres in Columbus, Ohio than our hometown Council are charging us for 2.5 acres in Aberdeenshire. And both projects are in areas where job creation is needed.
The result of all of this? We cannot afford to build the distillery and hotel in Ellon and will look to do this elsewhere.
Aberdeenshire council’s main role is to supposedly serve the people of north east Scotland. Yet all they have done here is prevent us from creating 80 new local jobs and providing facilities which the Ellon community desperately need.
We do want to make this happen, however. The implications of Aberdeenshire Council’s decision to put their own interests over those of the people they supposedly serve will mean that regrettably we will now look to construct the distillery, hotel and restaurant somewhere else. We will look for land in a Council area with a pro-business approach, rather than anti-investment and anti-job creation we find locally.
We believe that given the climate in the North East of Scotland with many people losing their jobs, Aberdeenshire Council should be doing all they can to encourage employment and investment, not actively preventing it.
Boo Aberdeenshire Council.
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Comentarios (223)
Boo Aberdeenshire Council. Punks - but in the negative way in this respect!
I wholeheartedly agree with your points and understand your frustration and understand you decision to now look elsewhere. Hope you have better luck wherever.
I think for what is planned for the land the council is closer to the mark, similar projects privately sell for a lot more!
However I do think the council should look at the bigger picture and both parties start negotiating again, half of what the council is asking for I think would be more than a fair price all round?
They should be giving it to you for nothing!
And how dare they put out sensible press releases at bully-boy tactics from the fat cat private sector!
Outrageous behaviour.
They should be giving away all the land.
Come to the Stirling/Falkirk area! Great links to everywhere in Scotland.
you can't even buy agricultural land at that price.
I am not saying the council is right in Thier valuation but it does not sound too far away from the market asking price for industrial land in other parts of the country.
We don't know both sides of the argument, the council may have used the land / assett to strengthen Thier ability to borrow money and therefore they can't sell it at a reduced price otherwise Thier lenders may cancel Thier facility.
Why not try to get a 100 year lease from the council.
Another own goal for the council I see.
We do see them make bad decisions where one concrere mess after another are approved where the look and intended use do not meet with local peoples approval, the same local people who they are elected in good faith, to serve!
Everyone knows you, you have created somewhat of a beer revelution, create another revelution and campiagn to have the guard changed to find a sitting council in each region that will put the needs of the people first and be less focussed on their own legacy or self gain!
Failing that, I am sure that H&I / Perth & Kinross or Angus would be delighted to reap the benefit of your investment and rates.
You can't buy land earmarked for expansion of the local cemetery...
However, the lack of support and assistance from the council to find a suitable alternative, is shocking! Fingers crossed a great opportunity arises for you!
Great to jump on the Band Waggon of a success story when they opened but when it actually comes to helping the local economy you can't be seen or heard. Typical of Alex Salmond and typical of SNP.
ABERDEENSHIRE COUNCIL SNP RUN AND SNP FAIL.... Hammer the successful and keep the poor impoverished and blame everyone else. Wonder what Nicola has to say?
The area was 60% NO is this more punishment from them?
I agree Brewdog has enhanced the area and should not be forced into paying over the odds for what is empty land!
https://online.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/apps/news/release.aspx?newsid=4597
As brilliant business leaders use your business brains to find a solution. There's plenty of brownbelt land that could be used elsewhere or other land around Ellon which can be used.
A group of fantastic entrepreneurs can surely find a creative solutionand keep the investment here in Aberdeenshire.
online.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/apps/news/release.aspx?newsID=4597
Shame on Aberdeen council!
Total bunch of idiots. Look at the state of affairs in Inverurie with the new Sport Centre.
Get rid of the dinosaurs, and get people who will make the deal happen.
I'd suggest Argyll and Bute as an alternative location. The council here is very keen to encourage businesses and job creation. There is even funding currently available to encourage people to move to the area!
Might be just the support and appreciative community you are looking for.
SHIRE council bent over backwards to make sure they got whatever Donald asked for.
I agree it's a disgrace you may have to locate outwith your area.
the values in distilleries and how important they are to the local economy.
I am sure they will pass it at the going rate.
Pure GREED!!
I still wonder how many rural properties they charge for water and sewage just because the home owner doesn't know they are being charged for it!
out of that 300k I wonder how much would go into fixing the local roads? or god forbid safe guarding the bad bits... but as usual I suspect the management would all get a nice bonus and the countryside left to deteriorate as usual! Greedy twats!
Best wishes with whatever happens.
Wise up Aberdeenshire council, have some Elvis juice to help sweeten the deal.
And as per a previous comment if you are not a member of a long standing local family you ain't got a chance, so go for it Brewdog and take your business completely out of the North East, go to an area that will welcome your investment and development, you won't be sorry.
And remember when the next council elections arrive make sure you damage the career hungry councillors, it is your duty.
https://www.change.org/p/aberdeenshire-council-business-services-aberdeenshire-council-reconsider-your-decision-to-overcharge-brewdog-for-new-land?recruiter=663429728&utm_source=share_for_starters&utm_medium=copyLink
Before becoming a Green MSP he was renown for his research in land grabbing etc in Scotland and wrote a brilliant book called "The poor had no lawyers : who owns Scotland and how they got it"
Andy might be able to help you in the pursuit for common sense from Aberdeenshire council - especially as this would be investment away from a predominantly fossil fuel based local economy.
Failing that Lesley Riddoch journalist for the Scotsman and National and various other publications might be able to help you with shedding light on this situation as she's an avid landform campaigner.
Ellon is falling behind times if your look around us all the other small towns are thriving communities and we are crumbling around our ankles.
I for one would be willing to go door to door with a petition and I am sure you would get many more share holders and regular customers who live in the area to do the same just give me the nod and I will be there.
Jim
It is however sad that by threatening to move your entire operation elsewhere that not only are new job opportunities missed but it will also hurt the existing local customer base and economy. It's a no win situation, caused by utter greed.
Investment and new jobs are needed here in the NE and failure to support that is just idiotic! But hey, it's OK.... The Oil and Gas industry will bounce back soon, the ostriches have predicted it!!
£5k per acre is nice and cheap. At that price, I'll buy the land and build a nice house on it. Cheaper than buying a Scotia or Barratt House in Ellon that's for sure.
But certainly £300k per acre is mental!
Does Ellon have the footfall for another hotel? (maybe it does, maybe it doesn't either way I am sure a brewdog hotel will attract people to stay)
Would like to see the councils side of the story.
As another writer suggests try Dundee - I live between Aberdeen and Dundee and find Dundee far more vibrant!
Is this the reason why that whole area is very slowly developing?? Are they trying to charge these prices to other possible businesses that Ellon sorely needs?? No wonder Ellon has nothing going for it if the council won't encourage this sort of thing.
Rant...over!
It's heartbreaking to read.
Someone in the council needs to be held accountable it's right and proper that they try and get best deal for area but not greed.
Why don't you send your side of the story to Jeremy Vine sometimes publicly can win the day.
Good luck punks
Come to Elgin!
Disgraceful behavior from our local council!
If they start getting bombarded with this they will have to respond.
May as well dump it on Alex Salmond etc. as well.
It cannot be ignored.
I suggest approaching Somerset County Council for opportunists down here. ;)
Keep at them though guys. The breaking strain of a damp custard cream. They will buckle eventually. Keep it local?
It has a growing reputation as the pace for food and drink in Scotland, It's close to the capital and has a highly skilled workforce.
They well and truly need their heads banged together!!
Yet again local councillors trying to make a name for themselves and profit on the back of other people success.
I would take it to your local MP, I'm sure Mr Salmond will want to support a local business that is trying to grow and enhance the local economy by creating long term create jobs! (Just as long as you don't follow Trumps example!!)
is it councillors who are blocking this or council officials ????
Of course the value of the land as is and the value of the land as with planning permission are two different things. I suspect when you take that into consideration, the value is upward of £5k/acre, but well short of £300k/acre.
It's right and proper that councils secure the best outcome for their residents, but there has to be a balance between getting the best price (£££ per acre) and getting the best outcome (local jobs & business).
But there are plenty of places in Scotland that have a pressing demand for inward investment and doubtless plenty of councils prepared to court inward investment.
Typical Aberdeenshire council - you will need to publish their justification for the land valuation.
What's the local councillor's response to this?
They need to get a reality check!
Clearly there is a balancing act between the various interests; Brewdog investing in the location and creating jobs and future business rates income, against the council not selling what has become valuable land on the cheap.
Have you taken it up with your local MSP and MP? something like this might benefit from political pressure applied from above...be interesting to see where their valuation has come from
5k an acre and they want 300k!!! Utter madness.
Good luck.
Clearly they are failing it their duty. Shame on them.