Heritage boss claims developments threaten Culloden Battlefield
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
PLANNED new developments near Culloden Battlefield are part of a worrying trend threatening Scotland’s heritage, according to a leading conservation charity.
The National Trust for Scotland (NTS) is urging the Scottish Government to overhaul the planning system after four applications – all in the battlefield conservation area – were submitted.
They include a 13-lodge holiday and leisure centre and come in the wake of controversial plans being approved for 16 new homes at Viewhill Farm.
NTS chief executive Simon Skinner said previously-raised fears regarding the protection of Scotland’s heritage were coming to pass.
"The specific development of the Viewhill Farm luxury houses at Culloden does not in itself fatally impinge on the battlefield but it sets a precedent from which other developers can argue for more portions of land to be given over to yet more housing," he said.
The new applications also include a farmhouse, a detached house and an agricultural shed.
"These may herald even more development in turn threatening to form a circle that, if unchecked, would eventually widen, join-up and constrict the core site protected by our charity," Mr Skinner said.
He also cited the recent approval of a golf course at the Coul Links which falls within the Loch Fleet Site of Scientific Special Interest.
"Culloden and the Coul Links are just two examples of a worrying trend," he said.
"Scotland’s heritage is too often being cast aside for short-term economic gain."
Mr Skinner said now was the time to make changes to the current planning process.
"Of course, property developers will always play the jobs and economic growth cards but we need to think long term," he said.
"Scotland’s economy sees huge benefits from tourism which accounts for around five per cent of our gross domestic product and can largely be attributed to our outstanding landscapes, sites of historic interest and places of beauty."
