Stella McCartney at war with neighbours over HATED £5million ‘modernist’ mansion as revamped plans spark fresh backlash
PROPOSED plans by Stella McCartney and her husband Alasdhair Willis to build a home in the Scottish highlands are facing resistance from locals.
Community council officials have expressed concerns over the revamped plans to build the £5million luxury gaff in the village of Glenuig on the country's west coast.
Stella, the son of legendary musician Sir Paul McCartney, and her husband scooped the plot of land, near the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct featured in Harry Potter movies, for £450,000.
More than 60 objections have been filed from locals since architects Brown & Brown submitted fresh proposals last year.
Arisaig and District Community Council penned a letter to Highland Council stating that a "large number of second homes" already exist in the local area.
"Having discussed the application at some length at our recent meeting, Arisaig and District Community Council would like to request that these concerns are given careful consideration before granting planning permission for what will be, for the current applicant, solely a holiday home, but may in future be a full-time residence," it reads.
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"Arisaig & District Community Council share Roshven residents' concerns that: the impact on wildlife - otters and pine marten in particular - on one of the last undeveloped parts of the Roshven coastline, should this development be allowed to go ahead, will be irreversible.
"The potential impact on the Corsican pine trees and ancient woodland on the headland should be taken seriously.
"There are concerns over the access track which is not owned by the applicant - and fear that the organisation of any future works to upgrade it will be blocked by the applicant.
"There is also concern over the amount of noise and disruption the creation of a track will cause over an extended period.
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"Installation of a reliable water supply will be difficult given the remoteness of the property.
"It should be noted that water supply in the Roshven area is already an issue, with many homes using an unreliable private supply (a small burn) which can dry up in the summer months.
"Whilst the demands of a large house used only a few weeks of the year may not be problematical, this could change if the house was subsequently bought by full-time residents.
"Additionally, we feel that a development plan for the area that considers all the various concerns should belatedly be put in place, in conjunction with local residents.
It added: "What is Highland Council Planning Department's vision for this seemingly unstructured/unplanned area that has very little infrastructure and a precious environmental footprint?"
The couple had previously hired conservationists, in an attempt to prove there were no otters in the surrounding area, as part of the planning application.
Residents then revealed they installed animal trap cameras and filmed otters and pine martens in the area.
Michie MacDonald, the wife of the area's Liberal Democrat MP Angus MacDonald, said "this plot is just not suitable for development" siting issues over water supply, wildlife and access for emergency vehicles.
“Camera traps were set up by a neighbour and I, and we immediately had photo and video evidence of otters, pine martens and numerous birds.
“There are runs through the grassy areas, mounds of droppings, a freshwater bathing pool and lying up areas. I am sure there will be a holt in the rhododendron scrub or the jumble of rocks.
"The planning department must be brave and and not ever grant permission for this site to be developed. Since outline permission was granted 30? or so years ago there has been rampant building, and this parcel of land is the last redoubt for people and fauna alike."
Karen White, the previous owner of the site, who has been critical of the plans said: “On numerous occasions over the past 50 years, I have seen single otters, pairs of otters and families on the rocks, and there is no doubt they would be distracted should this building be allowed to proceed.”
However, the Willis' planning agent has said: “We can find no evidence of any such holt and have not been made aware of any evidence to the contrary.”
Ms McCartney and her husband altered plans for the glass-fronted house in an effort to save the area’s natural habitats.
New plans submitted in September changed the designs of the house in an effort to avoid damaging tree lines.
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An updated ecological survey submitted by the architects said the revised placement of the house on the site “largely eliminated any impacts to the trees on site”.
It added: “A management plan which commits to the promotion of a wider area of native tree stock and the removal of invasive, non-native species in a manner which assures trees and native woodland is increased and features in this landscape in perpetuity would lead to a positive impact in the medium and long term.”
