Please support the Escape Lodge Planning Application

Below you will see a number of photomontages showing the appearance of our proposed buildings in a selection of views.  

All these views are 'worst-case scenarios' without any tree or shrub growth on the site. They were also taken in winter so the surrounding vegetation contributes little screening.

We hope you will agree the impact on the view is insignificant (if we use natural materials and create banking to screen car parking).  With the growth of mixed indigenous species woodland across the site we believe the whole development will blend into the hillside.

The formal deadline for comments is past but if you feel strongly you can still write in.

Below we list some reasons you might like to give Highland Council as to why they should approve our application - or use your own words.  All of the points below are material planning issues - that is they will take them into consideration.  Us just being nice people or having a good idea is not enough!

Please take a look first at these pictures.
Viewpoint 2 (Within National Scenic Area) Path between An Teallach and Strath Beag at 75m above sea level.
The cars will be screened by banking with shrubs and the whole site will be (indeed already is) planted with trees.
Scale Indicator
Red Line indicates height of mobile phone mast at 15 metres.
Lodge building is 6m high.
Above: Viewpoint 1 at 250m above sea level it gets a bit difficult to label the photo.
Reasons to Support


Escape Lodge development proposal ref: 10/00089/FULRC

This is accommodation I would like to visit and/or see succeed and I believe it can make an innovative, exciting and valuable contribution to the Highland economy, culture and environment.

It is not contrary to, or a significant departure from, the Wester Ross Local Plan.

The appearance will sit comfortably and blend well within the landscape and views of the site.

The access to the site has been designed to current regulations in consultation with Highland Council TEC Services and will not cause road safety concerns.  Parking will be contained on site and the number of people visiting will not significantly raise the number of vehicles using the Badrallach road or cause undue nuisance or obstruction.

The type of business will not generate any noise nuisance.  The site and proposed buildings do not overshadow or overlook any other buildings.

All surface and foul drainage will be managed and contained on site to the benefit of the site irrigation and visual amenity.  Discharge to watercourse will undergo extensive treatment well in excess of statutory requirements and it will be subject to stringent testing and control by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency.  A licence to discharge will only be granted by the agency when they are satisfied with drainage design proposals and so I am reassured that the watercourse will be protected.

I have seen the photomontage and am reassured that views from the Wester Ross National Scenic Area, an also from the A835 Dundonnell Road will NOT be significantly affected by the proposed development.
The current landscape use will be enhanced by this development as it will clear the debris of tree stumps and brash from the site - this currently renders the land inaccessible to the public.  The replanting, landscaping and maintenance of the site, including water features, indigenous tree and shrub species and areas of natural open grass will significantly enhance the site and the view and make it physically accessible for public access.

Re: Wester Ross Local Plan Policy 2, Countryside
The creation of 8 thatched houses in the style of 18th century Highland housing is a significant contribution to the cultural heritage of the area.  The nature of the business and its proposals for the site landscaping will contribute to the natural heritage of the area.  It will support a community in a fragile area which is having difficulties keeping its population and services.


The site borders the Wester Ross National Scenic Area and the sensitivity of the development takes this into consideration and aspires to enhance the aims of the NSA.


Re: Highland Structure Plan
The aim of Escape Lodge is in complete accord with the aims of the Highland Structure Plan in that the development links the protection, enhancement, understanding and enjoyment of the natural and cultural heritage with the sustainability and vitality of local communities.  It seeks to work to develop a prosperous future within the local community, the focus being on a healthy environment based on the principles of sustainable development.


I would like to see Wester Ross lead the way in innovative developments designed specifically to suit this fragile and exceptionally important area.
Above:
Viewpoint 4
From the main Dundonnell Road.
Above:
Viewpoint 5
From the Badralloch road approaching the site. The red line indicates 15m. The lodge building is 6m high.
Please imagine the site after the debris is cleared and the trees and shrubs have grown!
Above:
It's viewpoint 5 again but we've superimposed the banking with shrubs which will be in front of the cars to screen them from view.  It is not in the interests of Escape Lodge to have the cars visible in the landscape.
Above: Viewpoint 6 looking down on the site from the public road. This shows clearly that the slope is not so severe as appears in other images and the building settles onto a natural plateau on the site.  Tree and shrub growth will quickly transform this view and obscure all buildings and infrastructure.