Jan 2024 – Tree Weaver

Woodland experts have objected to Stella McCartney’s plans to build a £5million modern mansion on a remote Highland plot, saying it would have an ‘adverse effect’ on existing trees.

**Ms McCartney and her husband Alasdhair Willis bought the plot of land on the rugged coastline which was on the market for £450,000**

McCartney, 52, and her husband, Alasdhair Willis, sparked criticism over the proposals for a secluded hideaway at Commando Rock in Glenuig, in the Scottish Highlands.

The site was used for commando training during the second world war, and was also an inspiration for the Victorian artist Jemima Blackburn who regularly painted the local flora and fauna. It was her art that inspired the illustrations of Beatrix Potter.

Dozens of objections have been lodged with Highland Council over the application in the name of the fashion designer’s husband.

Scotland is a haven for coastal otters and an estimated 8,000 of the adorable animals to be found frolicking in its waterways.

“The presence of otters, pine martens and, some neighbours say, wild cats in the area, is just one of the many things that makes it special,” remarked Ranald Macpherson of Glenuig.

“Spotting one of these little animals is one of the reasons I come summer after summer,” said Lady Marie-Sophie Law de Lauriston of Fulham.

Mrs Karen White said that Willis’ application was out of keeping with the area, and would require ‘the removal of mature pine trees’ and would disturb the habitat of otters and that what is proposed would have ‘a needless impact on the sensitive ecology and landscape’.

In her letters to Highland Council Mrs White says she was writing as the previous owner of the site, detailing that when she had obtained planning permission in the past, it was ‘carefully considered’ with ‘minimal impact on flora and fauna’. It has ancient oak woodland as well as significant landscape trees.

She had obtained planning permission for a permanent family home in 1999, which was ‘extremely sensitive given the nature of the site and great care was taken to make the house unobtrusive and appropriate for the stunning environment and setting’.

‘This is not the case with the current proposal. The building footprint has been moved further forward towards the sea. The footprint has been enlarged significantly by adding two new wings, one of which impinges on the ancient oak woodland and the other encroaches on the cliff edge and hence requires the removal of mature pine trees.

The beauty spot, around 30 miles west of Fort William, is on the Moidart peninsula.

The justification given by the architect for shifting the site make no sense but mean there is a far greater impact on the flora and fauna. There is no need on such a large site to impact so significantly on this precious flora and fauna.

‘Secondly in siting the 1999 building the planner at the time, (Ken Johnston) and I spent significant time on site finding the optimum placement where it would not be obtrusive in the landscape.

‘By siting the building as close to Commando Rock as possible we ensured that it can not be seen from Roshven Bay or from the A861 between Glenuig and Roshven.

‘The suggestion by the architect that the current building would be visible on the skyline is very surprising as it is carefully nestled among a number of ridgelines.

‘By moving the entire set of buildings forward into the open they will become much more apparent.

‘The fact that the pine trees can be clearly seen from the A861 means that their removal will have a significant effect on the local landscape and probably means that the proposed bedroom wing will be visible from the A861 too. This seems unnecessary.

Thirdly when he bought the property in 1855, Professor Blackburn embarked on an ambitious programme of landscaping and tree planting and the pines were part of this.

‘By removing the Pines planted by Professor Blackburn the development would have an impact on the remaining cultural history of Roshven and the sense of place.

‘Fourthly the otters. Otters do not appear on demand. Just because the architect visited and did not encounter otters or a set does not mean that they are not there! On numerous occasions over the last 50 years I have seen single otters, pairs of otters and families on the rocks and there is no doubt that they would be disturbed should this building be allowed to proceed.

One resident, who did not want to be named said: ‘It’s believed in the area that the build will cost around £5million. Stella McCartney, who makes a big thing about being green, plans to build a house that’s steel and concrete.

Everybody in the area was expecting something eco, maybe with a turf roof, for example, so everyone was quite surprised that’s not what has been proposed.’

Jonathan Seccombe, from Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, said it was an “insult” and his wife, Petronella, described it as an “eyesore”.“It would set a bad precedent, that anyone with enough money could buy up unspoilt and extremely beautiful land, then build enormous dwellings that would likely remain unused for most of the year.”

Mrs Seccombe added: “The bay is totally unspoiled at present and the presence of this modern, unattractive, property will be a blot on the landscape, not to mention that mature trees will be removed, big glass windows installed which will cause light pollution and importantly local wildlife.

The site was described as “wilderness” by neighbour Dougal Mather, who said it was “a genuine survivor vicinity untouched by the hand of man”, and “irreplaceable once gone or altered”.

Iona Murray, of Perth, wrote: “This building must not be erected as it shows a complete disregard for the natural and historic heritage of this secluded bay.

“The plan shows a disregard for the unique ecology of this rare environment in Scotland.”

Highland Council’s forestry team had highlighted concerns over the project’s impact on trees and mature woodland.

They issued a report last year objecting on the grounds Corsican pine trees could be felled and works for a water supply would have an ‘adverse effect’ on existing trees.

A further dossier from a forestry officer has now confirmed the objection and suggested the plans be revised.

It said: ‘The six pine trees are recorded as category ‘B’ and we would usually expect applicants to endeavour to retain all category ‘A’ and ‘B’ trees where space allows.

‘The proposed removal of these trees would, as previously stated have implications for the stability of the remaining trees which will lose mutual protection and be newly exposed to winds.

‘The introduction of residential development between these trees would not be prudent.’

It concluded: ‘I therefore must maintain my objection to the application.

‘The applicant would be best to revise the layout design to completely avoid the pine trees and their Root Protection Areas and crown spread with the development footprint and reroute the water supply to avoid woodland.’

Aberdeenshire-based Architects Brown and Brown said the plan was to create an ‘unashamedly contemporary’ but complementary addition to the Lochailort area.

Brown and Brown have written to Highland Council labelling some of the comments over the size of the planned property and loss of an otter holt as inaccurate. They also said they are looking at re-introducing of a number of native Scots pine trees following complaints some could be at risk.

They said: ‘We are aware of comments from the public regarding the loss of the group of ‘Scots Pine’ present on the site, and also those of the council tree officer, who suggest the group may in fact be ‘Corsican Pine’.

‘Following receipt of this comment we have sought further arboricultural advice, which also seems to suggest this grouping of trees are of non-native Corsican Pine.

‘We are awaiting updated and additional arboricultural reports relating to these trees, which we will in turn submit to you for consideration.

‘In addition, our client is also looking at the feasibility of the re-introduction of a number of native Scots pine contingent on the ground and nutrient conditions supporting such long term planting.

‘They added: ‘It has been raised by public comment that the proposed location of the building interferes with the location of an otter holt.

‘Having visiting the site, and walked over all applicable areas of the site, we can find no evidence of any such holt, and have not been made aware of any evidence to the contrary.’

Highland Council are expected to make a decision in due course.

McCartney has strong links to Scotland, having spent much of her childhood with her parents at the farmhouse on the Mull of Kintyre which inspired Sir Paul’s famous 1977 song.

She also chose to marry Mr Willis in a star-studded ceremony in 2003 at Mount Stuart House on the Isle of Bute. Guests included Madonna, with her then husband Guy Richie, plus Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin.

Reference ~ The Daily Mail, October 2023, November 2023, January 2024.

The Telegraph, November 2023.

The Guardian Series, October 2023.

The Standard, October 2023.