A HISTORIC brewery could be set to branch out into whisky and gin as well as beer.

Greene King Brewing and Brands is looking to diversify at Belhaven Brewery, which dates back to 1719.

Plans lodged with East Lothian Council are split into two.

The design and access statement states: “The brief is twofold: to diversify the core business on the site with the introduction of small-scale gin and whisky distillation to enable the production of speciality spirits for sale within the business pub chain.

“Secondly, in light of the increasing demand for both brewery tours and the use of the Monk’s Retreat as a function venue, it is felt that the facilities require being upgraded, both in terms of general amenity, improving the visitor experience and to provide for the disabled visitor with the addition of a platform lift and accessible toilet.”

A spokeswoman for owners Greene King explained why they were looking to diversify at the site, on Belhaven’s Brewery Lane.

She said: “Like any business we are always exploring options to develop our business and facilities. The recent planning application is just one of many opportunities we are considering but no decision has been made yet about whether it is an option we will pursue if planning permission is granted.”

In terms of the production of gin and whisky, a still house would be created.

According to the design and access statement: “The distillery will be designed to produce 250 litres of spirit a day. It will be unique in the marketplace, making spirit from the same wurt as the beer.

“The spirit will be a mixture of Scotch whisky, gin and rum.

“This volume and complexity will mean that the brewery will need to employ an additional person to run the distillery.

“In time the site would like to re-instate a historical greenhouse within the gardens in order to grow their own botanicals to add to the gin; however, this will be part of a separate application.”

The new still house would mirror the mash house, which was given planning permission in January 2011, in terms of its look.

It is two storeys, with a more modern design than some of the historic buildings on-site.

If the plans were given the green light, work would also be carried out at the main building on the Belhaven site.

A museum is already in place on the ground floor of the main building, with a pub on the first floor.

Plans show a refurbishment of both floors as “the existing interiors are now tired and dated and in need of a revamp”.

The application, which could go before members of the council’s planning committee later this year, adds: “Considering the site’s historic importance both locally and within Scotland, it is clear that any development both internally and externally requires to be sensitive.

“It is also important to recognise the value of this development in terms of the improved visitor experience, which will impact visitor numbers to the area as a whole, and the business diversification.”