Fashion designer Stella McCartney and her husband Alasdhair Willis have found their plans for a Highland home near Roshven the subject of a public backlash after objections to the Lochaber development were picked up by national media.
Public attention was drawn to more than 50 negative responses to the application for a house atop Commando Rock, which would consist of a block containing five bedrooms connected to a separate living space comprised of sitting room, snug, upstairs study, and waterfront covered terrace.
Despite the renewed interest, the Highland Council has stated there has been no movement on a decision on the application, which was filed in February and validated in March.
A council spokesperson said: “The application currently remains under consideration by the planning authority and a recommendation on the case has yet to be made.
“As per the planning application form, the applicant is confirmed as Mr A Willis c/o the agent, Brown & Brown Architects. If further information is sought on the applicant, this should be directed to the agent.”
Comments on the proposed building were open in April and May and were largely negative. One criticised the use of concrete in the design, as well as plans being altered that made the building visible from the bay.
Another added that development at Roshven was currently unsustainable, that the Commando Rock house would impact access to Sandy Bay and that the application had been difficult to track as it was listed as being located in Glenuig.
A third noted there was confusion about the number of Scots pines to be removed, with five listed for removal in the planning but none still standing in the submitted drawings.
A report from the access officer also expressed concern about the description of the land as a ‘private peninsula’ as this ‘is contradicted by a history of public access in and around this peninsula along existing tracks’.
An access point to the water possibly falls inside the property’s boundaries.
The forestry team objected to the plans, saying the applicant needs to provide further consideration to ensure existing trees are safeguarded in both the design and the water supply and show plans to plant trees to compensate for any removed.
Councillor Angus MacDonald, who lives in Roshven, said: “We would definitely welcome Stella and Alasdhair to the area, but especially because of the very prominent position would appreciate them considering a more eco house, perhaps with a turf roof, and wood walling. Cutting down beautiful Scots pine trees would be a tragedy too.”
Commando Rock was once used by for special forces training during World War II, and in the 19th century belonged to Jemima Wedderburn Blackburn, an illustrator who work inspired a young Beatrix Potter.
Details of the building can be found on the Highland Council planning webpage, quoting reference 23/00585/FUL.