FASHION designer Stella McCartney has been told she must allow public access to a beach on the Highland plot where she plans to build a mansion following public outcry.
McCartney and her husband, Alasdhair Willis, applied for planning permission to build a “modernist mansion” at Commando Rock, near Roshven, in February last year.
Since the planning application was submitted to the Highland Council a total of 58 objections have been shared by residents and the Woodland Trust Scotland.
The impact on local wildlife, trees, and the demand on the water supply have been raised among concerns for the construction of the property.
The Highland Council stated in its latest report that they have “no objections” to the plans.
However, it did say that public access must be retained to the nearby beach area.
The Commando Rock plot owned by the fashion designer includes a pathway through woodland to a beach, known locally as Sandy Bay.
Bridget Thomas, an outdoor access officer for the council, said the owners have an expectation of privacy in the area surrounding their house, but this would not extend to the “whole of the wider grounds”, the Press and Journal reported.
“Public access to the beach should be maintained as a planning condition,” she said.
“There is an old built path to the beach, which although not recorded as such, would meet the criteria for designation as a right of way.
“Access to this path should not to be obstructed nor access to or along it deterred at any time before, during or after construction of the development.
“Any improvements or maintenance to preserve the old path to the beach would be welcomed.”
Located between Lochailort and Glenuig on the Moidart Peninsula, Commando Rock was listed for sale in 2021.
McCartney and her husband wanted to build a “modest” four-bedroom house and garage on the land and secured planning permission to do so.
However, plans submitted by Brown and Brown Architects on behalf of the family detailed a larger property than originally approved.
Earlier this year, Highland Council’s forestry officer Grant Stuart said he could not give the plans his backing following a visit to the site.
He 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 applicant would be best to revise the layout design to completely avoid the pine trees.”
Brown and Brown Architects updated the plans showing the property would be moved to avoid the six Scots Pine trees and was submitted to the local authority in August.
Despite the amendments to the plans, further objections have been made, but the local authority does not have any objections to the latest submission.
McCartney, who is the daughter of the singer-songwriter Paul McCartney, is best known in the fashion industry by launching a brand under her own name in a joint venture with Gucci.
