Red squirrels
The Rannoch community has re-acted with shock, disbelief and anger at the huge scale and unacceptable character of a massive proposed exclusive Golf, Hotel and Cosmetic Surgery complex at Dall on Loch Rannoch in Perthshire, overlooked by Schiehallion. This luxury development for the ‘super rich’ will lie along two miles of the shoreline of the loch.
Malcolm James, the owner of Dall Estate (formerly Rannoch School), has applied to Perth & Kinross Council (PKC) to turn Dall Estate (48 hectares) and 380 hectares of public land currently owned by the Forestry Commission into a private and exclusive resort.He paints a picture of a Highland utopia where only the “multi-multi-billionaires” of the world will have the right to relax and make the genuine friendships they crave in one another’s exalted company.
Mr James reels off figures that would test even Bill Gates – membership fees “way over” £2 million a year and plans to build luxury houses with starting prices of a staggering £100m across his estate.
And he boasts that, while Tiger Woods will be welcome to play at the championship courses he plans as part of the development, the world’s wealthiest sporting superstar won’t be rich enough to secure membership at his exclusive club.
The proposal comprises of an exclusive private members club incorporating a luxuy hotel development with a spa, clinic, leisure & retail facilities, two 18-hole golf courses, club house and ancilliary facilities; broch 7-story restaurant constructed in Loch Rannoch, plus further restaurant; seven luxury loch side houses, 94 club members houses plus major staff accommodation; access, parking etc. It is envisaged that club members will use sea planes and helicopters to travel to/from the location.
It is anticpated that the private members club will have 1,000+ users and 450 staff. Full details can be found on the Perth & Kinross planning department website: www.pkc.gov.uk.
The plans would involve the destruction of the Rannoch Forest walks at Carie Burn and also block the ancient right of way over the Lairig Ghallabhaich to Glen Lyon.
Bob Benson, spokesperson for the Dall Community Association, said: “This folly must be subject to the highest level of public scrutiny. Public land and an area of national scenic and environmental significance loved by us and by our innumerable visitors must be protected from greedy developers who seek only to serve the wealthy few. We call upon Perth & Kinross Council to help this community to preserve this unique place for the people of Scotland.”
Helen Au, Treasurer of Rannoch & Tummel Community Council, says;
“The Black Wood and Loch Rannoch should not be endangered for the sake of a couple of golf courses. We have extreme doubts as to the validity of the economic benefits to the local area and Scotland as a whole. The residents of Rannoch recognise that Dall Estate needs redevelopment, however we have the responsibility to conserve and safeguard this environment for the benefits of future generations.”
Richard Legate, Secretary to the Loch Rannoch Conservation Association, the local conservation body said that “the Association [will] be objecting to the proposed development in the strongest terms. From a conservation point of view the area, including Loch Rannoch and the Black Wood of Rannoch, are of national and international significance. All of the assumptions and benefits within the proposals are greatly exaggerated and must be challenged.”
A website has been set up as part of the campaign against the development. It gives the latest news and also a link giving the chance to object to the plans on Perthshire council website. Walkhighlands understands that the original deadline of 31st August for objections has now been extended – so why not make your views known? Objectors include the John Muir Trust, the Scottish Wildlife Trust and Scotways.
Local Campaign Website: Rannoch For All (including link to object)