The National Trust for Scotland calls for a masterplan to protect Culloden Battlefield after Scottish ministers reject a leisure complex in the area but accept a farm building conversion for a new home
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A MASTERPLAN to protect the historic Culloden Battlefield site needs to be drawn up after Scottish ministers rejected a planning appeal to create a leisure complex in the area – but accepted a second one to convert a former farm building into a new home.
The call has been made by the National Trust for Scotland which wants all relevant bodies to come together to create the plan.
Proposals for
the £1 million Treetops leisure complex – encompassing holiday lodges and associated infrastructure – were rejected by ministers who branded it “unacceptable”, arguing it would detract from the battlefield’s “sense of identity.”
In doing so they went against the views of their own reporter who had recommended the appeal – mounted by developers Inverness Paving after the original application was rejected by Highland Council – should be allowed.
A separate appeal for a steading conversion was, however, accepted by ministers.
The reporter in that case said the conversion of an already existing, though dilapidated, building would “make a positive contribution to the architectural and visual quality” of the area and would not have any significant adverse effects on the battlefield.
But while David Learmonth of the Group to Stop Development at Culloden (GSDC) said rejection of the leisure complex appeal was “excellent news” he called approval of the second appeal “shocking”.
He said the site on which the steading stands was a “pivotal” area that saw fierce action during the 1746 battle.
“GSDC is appalled by the fact that Culloden Battlefield is dealt with under the Scottish planning system as just any ordinary plot of land,” he said.
“On reflection, another awful day in terms of preservation of Culloden, for research, archaeology and for all who care for this special place.”
Inverness South Councillor Andrew Jarvie said: “While the appeal for the largest development being refused is good news for common sense and the integrity of our battlefield, the simultaneous approval of a house right on the fence line of the battlefield visitor centre itself makes a mockery of the area.
“Just what value does the Conservation Area have when a large, modern refurbishment is permitted so close? We cannot allow this to keep going on.
“The only way forward I see is the establishment of a national heritage fund to buy land and dilapidated buildings like this to protect our vital historical sites.”
Clea Warner, the National Trust for Scotland’s general manager for the Highlands and Islands, agreed that something must now be done to protect the battlefield long-term.
“We welcome this decision by Scottish ministers regarding the Treetops proposal and hope that it sets a precedent that helps to counter the continuing attempts to place inappropriate development on the wider historic battlefield,” she said.
“Ultimately, however, we think the only solution to securing the historic integrity of Culloden is for all relevant agencies to come together and agree upon a masterplan for its future.
“Consultation through our Culloden 300 initiative showed that this is exactly what the majority of people want to see happen.
“We are working hard on encouraging others to join us in making sure the right balance is found in meeting the needs of communities today without damaging this landscape, which is such an important part of Scotland’s heritage.”
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