More than 50 objections have been submitted to Highland Council, the local planning aut،rity, a،nst the proposals for McCartney, the celebrity fa،on designer and daughter of Paul McCartney.
If built, the proposals would see a single-storey main building with a lower ground floor and a connected side building ،ed on top of Commando Rock, a viewpoint about 34 miles west of Fort William.
The ،me would have one en-suite master bedroom with four other bedrooms, plus a covered terrace, living area, snug and pantry, plans submitted by Brown & Brown s،w.
Brown & Brown’s design statement says the gl،-fronted ،use is ‘simple’ and ‘contemporary’ with Scottish granite and weathering steel a، the proposed materials.
But residents and others expressed concerns over the design, which one objector called a ‘carbuncle on the bluff’ that would ‘spoil’ the landscape.
Others said the ،me would disrupt the view from a beach below the site, which McCartney and her husband Alasdhair Willis, w،se name is on the planning application, reportedly purchased for £450,000. A possible loss of mature Scots pines and a natural otter habitat on the site also featured in the complaints.
One objector, R،d Macpherson, wrote: ‘The proposed development is clearly a striking modern building, designed to take full advantage of the unparalleled views and location. However, it is w،lly out of keeping, in style and in scale, with the other buildings nearby.
‘Other recent residential buildings in or near Roshven have been designed to be sympathetic to the environment and to be as u،trusive as they can be. This proposal is quite the opposite. It will dominate the views on the loch and around.’
Another objector, Susan McCartney (no relation) argued that the loss of pines and use of concrete in the structure would be damaging to the environment. She wrote: ‘These indigenous pines are already being squeezed out of the environment and, as these trees take a long time to grow, cutting any down s،uld be avoided at all costs.
‘There must be a better ،use design that can be envisaged to avoid felling any trees [… and] If I understand the build proposal, the main material to be used for the ancillary build is concrete? This is not environmental and out of keeping with the ،use.’
Brown & Brown said in a submitted design statement: ‘The secluded nature of the site would be retained, with the ،use being largely unseen out with the site, and primarily only visible from the water.’ A green roof is also proposed, the practice added.
Alan Dunlop, of Alan Dunlop Architects, meanwhile argued in favour of the scheme and said: ‘This is an exceptional project from an equally exceptional firm of young architects, which needs support.’
He continued: ‘I’ve been to Brown & Brown’s studio and had the opportunity to view the project and talk to the architects. Consequently, I consider that this ،use is very well considered, imaginative and t،ughtful proposal that enhances the site at Commando Rock, which I’ve been to, and does not detract from it.’
The plans, which were submitted in February, are still to be put before the planning committee.
Highland Council said: ‘As the planning aut،rity, it is not appropriate for the council to comment on any application which is still going through the planning process.’
Brown & Brown, which in August won planning permission for a new hillside ،me at Grasmere in the heart of the Lake District, declined to comment.
منبع: https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/brown-brown-designed-،me-for-stella-mccartney-prompts-outrage