Bid launched to turn barns in small village into distillery and visitor centre

Two barns in a rural village could be transformed into a working distillery if plans are approved.

An application has been lodged with North Norfolk District Council to change the use of the agricultural buildings in Hindolveston, which sits between Aylsham and Fakenham.

If successful, the Park Farm site on Fuldemeston Road would be used as a distillery by Black Shuck, a Norfolk brand named after the mythical dog believed to roam the wilds of East Anglia.

Patrick and Sarah Saunders of Black Shuck Gin with their Inspiration Award certificate. (Image: Archant)

The second barn would become a tasting and reception area for visitors, an office and toilets.

However, NNDC's landscape officer has warned it will be necessary to investigate whether the barns have become home to bats and nesting birds.

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They said if the works go ahead, it would likely remove the ability for bats and breeding birds to access the barn, which could hamper the final decision.

The site on land off Fulmodeston Road in the village of Hindolveston (Image: Google)

It means the developer will have to carry out extensive ecological surveys to ensure the issue is addressed, otherwise any work carried out would likely break laws aimed at protecting wildlife from building developments.

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Fakenham-based Black Shuck Distillery, run by Patrick and Sarah Saunders have launched a range of four fruity schnapps (Image: Black Shuck)

Black Shuck was established in 2012 by husband and wife team Patrick and Sarah Saunders.

It is based in Fakenham and is known for producing a wide range of spirits including a range of flavoured gins, rums and vodkas. More recently it has branched out into schnapps and has released a range of new flavours.

Many of the products make use of foraged ingredients from the north Norfolk coast, such as lavender and sea buckthorn.

Members of the public can find out more by visiting the NNDC planning portal (Ref: PF/24/0820).