News from Escape Lodge
Latest News
November 7th 2011
Press Release
Neighbouring landowner continues legal action

Following the successful recall of an interim interdict attempting to halt the Escape Lodge development, Nicholas Crawford, owner of the neighbouring Eilean Darach Estate, has changed his legal argument and is asking the court for a full interdict to completely prevent any part of the development.  

Mr Crawford, whose estate of over 5000 acres includes the nationally important An Teallach mountain range, is alleging the proposals will cause flooding to his land. He has dropped the previous argument that it would jeopardise his water supply. Nicholas Crawford, who gives an address in Jersey, recently acquired the estate from his father, multi-millionaire Gordon Crawford, who has made no secret of his opposition to the development from the start. The estate house, approximately 600 meters from the development site, is used by the Crawfords as a holiday home and as a holiday letting business.

In July this year, the judge Lady Smith recalled the interim interdict that had been raised against Escape Lodge Ltd and awarded all expenses of that part of the process against Mr. Crawford. He is also now contesting these expenses, despite losing that round, alleging that Escape Lodge Ltd used an unnecessarily high-level legal team. It was Mr Crawford who raised the action in the Court of Session in the first instance.

Escape Lodge Ltd gained Full Planning Permission on the 11 acre clearfelled forestry site in October 2010 for the eco-tourism business; an 11 bedroom lodge with a nearby Highland township of 8 traditionally constructed thatched houses with a service building and composting toilets. Due to the number of objections at the time, Highland Council Planning Committee carried out a site visit before approving the development. A number of stringent conditions were attached to the permission to protect both planners’ and objectors’ concerns. These conditions included adherence to Best Practice Codes and full compliance with all SEPA regulations and licenses regarding water and drainage, subject to SEPA’s and the Council’s inspection.

Escape Lodge Ltd has been a 10 year dream for Ullapool woman Becky Thomson who left her work in the London TV industry to return to the Highlands and start the business.

Ms Thomson said:
“It is so sad that someone who is not even permanently resident could feel the need to prevent a perfectly legitimate and genuinely well-intentioned development that many people in Dundonnell support. In a small community people have to be careful what they say publicly. I have had a number of private and unsolicited communications about the project and very strong support from local people telling me I have a lot of friends in the area and urging me to keep fighting.”

“Some people were concerned that the threat of litigation would cause us problems, but in fact we have been surprised to find that the publicity has attracted some very high profile new investors who believe in the project. We are now in discussions not only about the eco-lodge and township idea but are also considering alternative options for the site should Mr. Crawford be successful in his action. A paintball or other outdoor events course, music festival or maybe a new age traveller site are all being mooted. With such successful planning permission already attached to the site it is hardly going to be left undeveloped.

The litigation team have assured me that my case is solid, and I have an appropriate level of professional support from water and drainage experts. We just have to wait now to see how the case will turn out.”
THANK YOU!
To all our fabulous supporters, for all the messages  and the contributions to the legal action fund.  We would never have explored the possibility of challenging the interdict without you!
Latest News
July 26th 2011
Escape Lodge Wins In Court

At the Court of Session in Edinburgh Escape Lodge Limited succeeded in getting an interim interdict recalled which was preventing the implementation of full planning permission on the site at Dundonnell.

The company was initially forced to announce that it would close due to the costs involved in defending the action raised by neighbour Nicholas Crawford, son of software millionaire Gordon Crawford who initially objected to the planning permission.

Mr Crawford felt his concerns about the water supply and drainage on his land were not addressed by the planning officials and proceeded to raise the interim interdict against the development.

Today Escape Lodge Ltd Director Becky Thomson said: " We are delighted by the recall of the interdict. The last thing we would do is cause any damage or threat to somebody else's land or water and the judge's decision has acknowledged there are plenty of regulations and controls in place to ensure this is the case without the need for litigation. We have been happy to give an undertaking to show all our drainage plans to Mr Crawford and these must be scrutinised by SEPA and the planning department before we can proceed.

We were incredibly privileged to be represented by the eminent John Campbell QC (originally from Bonar Bridge, Sutherland) who specialises in planning matters. We discovered that the legal system at the level of the Court of Session is not so financially out of reach as Advocates are self-employed and can make their own decision on what they wish to charge. We were able to ask John to represent us and now costs have been awarded against Mr Crawford it is a big relief."

John Campbell QC said: I am very happy to have been instructed on behalf of Escape Lodge Limited. I'm pleased for them that it has had a happy outcome."

Escape Lodge Ltd can now proceed with establishing a borehole for water on the site along with several other pre-conditions for the planning permission including the planting of mixed native woodland. Discussions can continue with investors interested in backing the project now that the litigation has been removed.
News coverage:
Sept 14th
Full Planning Permission granted.
Highland Council Ross, Skye and Lochaber Planning Committee approved the Full Planning Permission Application for Escape Lodge!
Previous News Stories
Week beginning 7th June
Escape Lodge in the News
See the background to the legal challenge


Ross-shire Journal with statement from MSP Rob Gibson:


STV News:  16.50 minutes into programme: http://bcove.me/mchbey8d  

Leader in the Ross-shire Journal:


June 11th 2011
Project Closure Announced
You may have seen in the news this week that we were very sorry to announce the closure of our project due to legal action by a neighbouring landowner.  (News links above).
We thought our small company could never afford to defend itself as the case has been raised in the Court of Session in Edinburgh and requires the highest legal expertise.  We received a lot of publicity and there is a great deal of public outrage about our situation.  It also provoked high-level debate about wider issues of land ownership and the democratic planning process in Scotland and our MSP has made a statement about it.
The situation has started to change.  People pledged us money and suggested there may be lawyers who might be sympathetic. We are delighted to announce we have located an advocate who will defend us.  We don’t get this for nothing and still have to find around £5000 for all the costs involved.  Due to the economic situation and the legal threat the reality of a fully funded Escape Lodge was probably a year away; now we have a hope of getting rid of the interim interdict and implementing our planning permission.
The links to the press stories and TV coverage will give you some idea of the story so far.   If you also feel strongly about this issue – which is much bigger than Escape Lodge – and would like to help the campaign fund, the dedicated bank account details are below:  
July 1st 2011
Challenge to Interdict
 We are making an application to the Court of Session to recall the interim interdict. That will be heard on Wednesday morning 6th July in Edinburgh.

It is not possible at this stage to predict the outcome, but everything is being done that can be done to preserve Eilean Darach's rights to their water, which are of course extremely important to them. It has never been Escape Lodge Limited's intention to prejudice Eilean Darach's supply, or to put them at any risk, and I absolutely refute any suggestion that we would do so. I am entirely confident that we will be able to implement our planning permission while living and working in close harmony with our neighbours.  

Becky Thomson, Director, Escape Lodge Ltd
How To Support Us
Methods of Sending Supporting Funds
If you make an internet banking payment please put your name in the reference and email me to let me know the amount and who you are - just in case we can give you the money back!
Sort Code: 08-92-88   Account no: 11410016
(Smile, the Co-op Internet Bank)
 Or you can send a cheque, payable to Rebecca L. Thomson - not Escape Lodge please. To 4 Fraser House, Royal Park, ULLAPOOL IV26 2XT.
You can support online through PayPal by buying Highland Township supporting memberships and stating in the shipping instructions that it is for the legal costs. It's on the Join Us page.

Thank you so much for your interest and support in Escape Lodge.  Maybe one day we will be able to welome you to stay with us and to share the beauty of Dundonnell.

You ae welcome to copy the information about to anyone you think may support us,  Please 'Like' our Facebook page and share the note there.  This is also a great place to make a comment and state publicly how you feel.
With heartfelt thanks and best wishes (and somewhat overwhelmed!)
Becky Thomson

Director
Escape Lodge Ltd.
07710 762607