It has always preferred an image that is more Cadfael than Coatbridge, of hooded holymen silently concocting their secret brew to a soundtrack of Gregorian chants.

It has always preferred an image that is more Cadfael than Coatbridge, of hooded holymen silently concocting their secret brew to a soundtrack of Gregorian chants.

But against a backdrop of ever-increasing sales, health and safety concerns, a serious shortage of space and increasing importance to its local economy, the Benedictine monks at Buckfast Abbey in Devon are to bring production of their notorious tonic wine into the 21st century with a new state-of-the-art winery.

The monks have applied to Dartmoor National Park Authority for permission for what has been described as "a major and substantial" facility within the grounds of the abbey, with the likelihood of a new premises producing the drink on an industrial scale within 18 months.

There have been production problems at the existing facilities for almost 30 years, with the monks relying on tankers parked outside to store base wines imported from France while the entire interior of the St Anthony's building is filled with production vats leaving no room for storage.

According to the planning application, lack of storage "means a daily hand-to-mouth problem of preparing the tonic wine", presenting problems with ferry timings for the incoming wine while bottling can only happen relative to demand.

There are also problems with compliance to food hygiene regulations due to the floor, wall and ceiling finishes in the existing facility with staff facing health and safety problems, having to "dip" tankers outside in all sorts of weathers, while the constant flow of HGVs is not considered conducive to the serene image the monastery is trying to present.

This is set against a growth rate in sales of 7%, an employee tally of 120, one of the highest in the Dartmoor area, more than 400,000 annual visitors to the abbey and charitable work in the area "supported almost entirely by the tonic wine and which can only exist by its continuing success".

But the monks have another problem.

The new winery has to be built within the abbey or risk losing the Buckfast name.

The proposal to the park authority states: "Not withstanding other important considerations a site or premises had to be found within the confines of the Buckfast Abbey Estate in order for the tonic wine to qualify as Buckfast Tonic Wine under the Trade Description Act."

Although the original monastery at Buckfast was founded during the reign of King Cnut in 1018 the current abbey, where honey and wool sold for Axminster rugs is also produced, was built in a medieval Gothic style in the late 1800s when French monks settled in the area. The making of the tonic wine within St Anthony's began in 1926 and was initially a limited process involving oak barrels, Spanish base wines known as mistellas and a secret imported recipe.

In recent times Buckfast has gained a reputation as the drink of choice for youths prone to antisocial behaviour, its high strength, 15% ABV, relatively low price and sweetness appealing to underage drinkers.

Last night, Tony Joyce, director of J Chandler and Co, which bottles and markets the drink, said: "The existing facilities are inadequate and have been there for well over 100 years."