Holiday homes plan by Dame Ann Gloag near Inverness gets go-ahead from Highland Council

Controversial plans by business tycoon Dame Ann Gloag for a holiday development at her Beaufort Castle estate near Beauly have been approved – but only if locals get to have a major say in how it is progressed.

The ambitious project consists of 50 lodges, a glamping field, plus a small retail area and café, but it sparked the ire of some locals and Kiltarlity Community Council over issues such as access, loss of forestry and effluent being discharged into the Beauly River.

Despite concerns, Highland councillors agreed to grant planning permission in principle subject to a range of conditions.

Aird and Loch Ness councillor Margaret Davidson insisted the community must have a role in how the development progresses.

Now a liaison group will be set up so that local voices can be heard on a number of issues, as well as securing a decent cycle route to the village of Beauly, though there are some hitches regarding the neighbouring Lovat estate.

Cllr Davidson said: “The community really must be involved in this.

“Locals most of all wanted to secure access, they wanted to stop the squabbling about whether they could have access to places and they wanted to have a safe off-road cycling route.”

Further objections about road safety were tackled by Inverness South councillor Andrew Jarvie who insisted that a traffic management plan was needed for a junction onto the A862.

He also supported another of Cllr Davidson’s proposals to limit the number of trees that are felled.

Planning officers told councillors there was potential to create a high-quality tourist development with significant economic benefits to the area.

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