Ullapool eco-lodge plans are withdrawn as developer 'considers feedback' from local community
CONTROVERSIAL plans to build luxury eco lodges on a prominent hillside overlooking a Wester Ross community have been withdrawn by the developer – for now.
Ossian Developments this week shelved plans for 16 lodges at Braes of Ullapool.
The proposal drew strong objections from many Ullapool residents and also concerns from council roads officers.
But although the proposals have now been dropped in their current form, it is understood that the developer is looking to submit revised plans.
And some Braes residents have vowed to fight on regardless of the scale of the final proposals – arguing that any size of development risks “opening the floodgates” to further applications which would require the use of roads and junctions that they believe are simply not up to the task.
Braes resident Gareth Mason said he did not know if Ossian would sound out what people were open to, but nothing would be acceptable, adding: “Certainly my stand and that of others is that we don’t want any building there because it will open the floodgates to other applications.”
Topher Dawson, chairman of Lochbroom Community Council, said it still had concerns over the development’s impact on road safety. It is understood that Ossian Developments will be addressing its next meeting in a bid to discuss local concerns.
He said: “Although the application has been withdrawn, the applicant has texted me to say that the withdrawal is ‘to allow us time to consider feedback, and hope to take concerns etc into account. We welcome the opportunity to consult with the community council next week.’
“The community council continues to be concerned about the road safety implications of increased traffic on what is already a narrow steep single track access road with short sight lines. We are also worried about the sight lines from the junction along the A835 trunk road, which are half the recommended distances or less.
“Whether or not the present development goes ahead, the junction and the narrow Braes road need to be considered, even if no future development is allowed.”
Residents who objected also raised concerns about the impact on popular woodland paths, damage to wildlife habitat, and argued that the prominent hillside location would damage views from Ullapool itself.
In its original application, Ossian had acknowledged that the lodges would be visible from the village’s harbour, but had claimed that they would be placed in gaps in the existing woodland where possible.
The developer’s agent did not respond to a request for comment.
Objections to eco-lodge plans mount in Wester Ross village
