Stella McCartney's Commando Rock

[hash tag]

Disturbing the otters is one thing but how on earth is someone allowed to build such a thing in such a beautiful isolated place?

Locals fear Stella McCartney’s Scottish holiday home could disturb local otters

Objectors to the celebrity fashion designer’s remote retreat described it as a “carbuncle on the face of an area of outstanding beauty”

www.standard.co.uk

 

[kebabking]

Disturbing the otters is one thing but how on earth is someone allowed to build such a thing in such a beautiful isolated place?

Locals fear Stella McCartney’s Scottish holiday home could disturb local otters

Objectors to the celebrity fashion designer’s remote retreat described it as a “carbuncle on the face of an area of outstanding beauty”

www.standard.co.uk

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Several different factors:

1. Scotland has a (legitimate) policy of trying to repopulate the Highlands, and it has adjusted it's planning regs to be as helpful as possible to 'self-build' - single dwelling developments, and in broad terms, as long as you don't want to build a 40 storey tower block in Glen Coe, they don't care what you build.

2. Sleb culture.

3. Money. A planning appeal to (in England) the Secretary of State, and in Scotland to the relevant minister in the Scottish Government, will cost the punter upwards of £500,000 in fees and evidence, regardless of whether you win or lose. It won't cost the local authority much less - local authorities don't have endless wedges of cash lying around to fight endless planning disputes with incredibly wealthy people wanting to build shit in the middle of nowhere where 6 people a year will see it, so they say 'fuck it...' instead.

Planning needs a completely new start in the UK.

 

[Throbbing Angel]

I thought this had been turned down due to the number of objections from both residents and various bodies that cited problems, such as the others, woodland destruction etc

 

[Silas Loom]

I thought this had been turned down due to the number of objections from both residents and various bodies that cited problems, such as the others, woodland destruction etc

It would definitely serve McCartney right if her island paradise turned out to be as initially unnerving but ultimately ridiculous as the one in Lost.

 

[A380]

 

[hash tag]

Apart from the actual building she will need electricty, water, drainage and roads which will all upset the local area.

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That does look like the inspritation for the proposed house

 

[cesare]

“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.

 

[bellaozzydog]

Ultimately it’s rich people complaining about other rich people building stuff

If it’s properly reviewed from an environmental impact POV and mitigations put in place “shoulder shrug”

Nimbyism is the curse of the British

Having said that “burn the fucking rich down”

 

[surreybrowncap]

 

[littlebabyjesus]

I like it. Kind of house I'd build if I were rich.

 

[JimW]

She'd have easier access if she drained that loch.

 

[quimcunx]

Disturbing the otters is one thing but how on earth is someone allowed to build such a thing in such a beautiful isolated place?

Locals fear Stella McCartney’s Scottish holiday home could disturb local otters

Objectors to the celebrity fashion designer’s remote retreat described it as a “carbuncle on the face of an area of outstanding beauty”

www.standard.co.uk

View attachment 397085

The objections aren't about it being a carbuncle. The issues seem to be about otters and access.

Anyway that image looks pretty understated. Hardly a carbuncle.

 

[kebabking]

I like it. Kind of house I'd build if I were rich.

Me too.

Big windows looking out over mountains and the sea - do I have to tell my children where I live?

 

[Leafster]

I can't help but think the only reason this made the news was that it's a celeb and the design is 'modern'.

It looks like planning permission was given to the previous owners to build a four bedroom house on the site but that was a more traditional house.

Highland paradise plot could be yours for £450k

It’s not every day that a Highland paradise once home to a world-renowned artist goes up for sale. With its panoramic coastal views, dramatic rocky

www.pressandjournal.co.uk

There are other properties nearby so it's not like it's a completely unspoilt area and there is an access road already.



I don't doubt there will be an environmental impact but they have the money to minimise it.

My main concern is that it's going to be a holiday home rather than something with full time occupation.

 

[JimW]

At least the name helps clear up the age-old question of what was worn under the kilt.

 

[dessiato]

At least the name helps clear up the age-old question of what was worn under the kilt.

Nothing is worn under the kilt, it’s all in perfect working order.

 

[surreybrowncap]

Nothing is worn under the kilt, it’s all in perfect working order.

 

[MickiQ]

If you look at it on Google Map, the whole area is near as desolate as the Moon, I can't imagine one house is going to bother the otters much and McCartney isn't going to compete with them for the fish at least.
I actually think the place looks pretty awesome myself albeit a bit Tracy Islandish.
There is a bit of reverse snobbery/Nimbyism going on here, local yokels not wanting some rich southerner coming in and raising hovel prices. If I were McCartney, I'd add a helicopter pad and come and go by chopper if I wanted to really wind them up.

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Son Q had one of these when he was younger, it spent quite a few years in the attic before being gifted to the grandsons as a family heirloom. I seem to remember Eldest Q telling me a while back that Thunderbird 1 had left on a rescue mission and sadly never returned.
It's amazing when you think about it that Grandson 1 (7 in Jan) is the same age I was when Thunderbirds was first aired and he thinks they're as cool as I did.

 

[Sue]

There is a bit of reverse snobbery/Nimbyism going on here, local yokels not wanting some rich southerner coming in and raising hovel prices.

Reverse snobbery or y'know locals worried about getting priced out of the area? (Which may or may not be well founded round there but has obviously happened in loads of other places )

If I were McCartney, I'd add a helicopter pad and come and go by chopper if I wanted to really wind them up.

What could possibly go wrong with deliberately antagonising your new neighbours?

 

[Aladdin]

I like it. Kind of house I'd build if I were rich.

I think it settles very well into the surroundings. It's a beautiful design.
Maybe it can be built in such a way as to keep the otters safe and happy. Perhaps on stilts or whatever ..
As for objections? Some people object from a sense of pure begrudgery. Seen it happen over here.