Highland Council give controversial Culloden development approval
Kirkwood Homes has plans for 16-homes near the site of the 1746 conflict
A campaign to prevent homes being built at Culloden Battlefield has failed with the development being given the go-ahead by Highland Council.
16-properties - planned for Viewhill Farm, Culloden - can now be built by Kirkwood Homes, as councillors granted permission after a narrow 5-to-3 vote in favour.
Attempts to reject the plans were challenged by Councillor Carolyn Caddick, who said; "If we do refuse this it'll go to appeal and we'll end up with the cost. I'm concerned that'll add more cost to a council which is already a bit strapped at the moment"
Despite that, she said of the development, "I'm slightly disappointed that not more has been done to make it a bit more sympathetic to its surroundings"
“We strongly feel that this is the wrong development for Culloden..." - Dairmid Hearns, National Trust for Scotland
Conservation charity, the National Trust for Scotland has said that the go-ahead for a development is a blow for the Culloden site.
Responding to the decision, the charity’s Head of Policy, Diarmid Hearns said: “We strongly feel that this is the wrong development for Culloden and are deeply disappointed at the planning system’s failure to protect this important site from the threat of development"
“The Trust, the community, the local authority and many others with an interest in Culloden have made their views known. We do not appear to have been heard"
“Scotland’s historic sites and stunning landscapes could be lost forever. We need to make sure that the places which make Scotland so special get the protection they deserve. ”
The charity says that it will now focus on limiting the impact of the development on the site of the last pitched battle in the UK.
In a brief statement to MFR News, Kirkwood Homes said, “We welcome today’s decision as it allows our plans to take a step forward and bring our high-quality luxury homes to the area, as well as sustain and create jobs for local people"
“Our revised submission has been amended to reflect the requests of Highland Council and ensure that the homes are in keeping with, and considerate of the surrounding area.
“Throughout this process we have worked closely with Highland Council to ensure we comply fully with all their suggestions and amended our plans in line with their requirements."
A spokeswoman for the developer said no one was available for interview.