Dark Sky Spirits is hoping to commence construction later this year with distillation beginning in 2021.

Once operational, the distillery, which will also feature a visitor centre, will initially be capable of producing 60,000 litres of alcohol a year – enough to fill around one barrel per day.

The project will create a dozen jobs across production and visitor centre roles, with an estimated 9,000 visitors anticipated in its first year of opening.

In granting consent, planning officers wrote: “Some representors have raised concerns over the quality of the design and the proposed finishes, but it is recognised that the applicant has used a restrained palette of proposed materials with the use of black timber and cladding walls and roof and grey aluminium windows.”

Nick Bullard, founder and managing director of Dark Sky Spirits, said the new craft whisky distillery will benefit the area with additional tourism.

He said: “Even though it’s small, this distillery will make a big difference to our town and our region.

“It will attract visitors, bring new jobs and boost retail and hospitality trade. It will broaden and deepen Moffat’s attractiveness to whisky lovers around the world.”