Stella McCartney declares victory over eco-activist neighbours in planning battle for new home

Peter Stevens
Thu, 02 Apr 2026 05:24:24 +0000

Stella McCartney has been given permission to build her home in Scotland three years after filing for planning permission.

Paul McCartney's daughter, and her husband Alasdhair Willis, received more than 65 objections for their proposed build on Loch Ailort, west of Fort William.

Neighbours raised concerns about the £5million home's size, design, and impacts on landscape and wildlife.

A major point of worry was the disturbance of the natural habitat of otters in Commando Rock.

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Nine otter dens were found within 110 metres of the proposed site, with the closest only 30 metres away.

In response, the couple - who both work in fashion - had to move the site of their property back to guarantee it is not within 100 metres of the animals.

While the application was accepted by Highland Council, it is subject to a number of conditions.

These include to mitigate the impact of external lighting, sewage and surface water drainage handled away from the site's cliff edge, and a licence from Scotland's nature body, NatureScot, due to the presence of otters in the area.

Environmental campaigners lifted a theme from the fashion designer's summer 2025 collection - "Save What You Love" - to use as their slogan.

But some otter campaigners felt the decision to move the property back was not enough.

Grace Yoxon, founder and director of the International Otter Survival Fund, said the sound of the new development being built could scare mother otters away and into danger.

"They could go into another otter's home range and get killed in a fight. Some of the injuries could be horrendous: they could go for the face and the genitals," she said.

Leon Durbin, who lives next to Commando Rock, said the house should be moved even further away.

And another neighbour said the shoreline would "disappear".

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Concerns were also raised that it would be harder to get to local beauty spot Roshven Bay due to construction and an increase in cars.

Jim Machie, 72, vowed the beach should "be a place for the people".

"If she turns up, brings Paul and Bono with her, they're not going to want people wandering past with their dogs," he said.

Neighbours were also upset at a lack of communication.

One neighbour said Mr WIllis had only said hello to them three times, and claimed Mrs McCartney had never been seen.

Mrs McCartney's home is designed to be sustainable and was "sympathetically designed".

A spokesman for the family, describing the property, said: "It will be secluded and barely visible due to the site's contours, including views from the water.

"Unlike many of the homes in the area, this is not a holiday home; it is a house that the family will live in, our forever home.

"We look forward to continuing to engage with the local community as we progress our development and when we move into our new home."

Other than the otter population, Commando Rock has historically been used for military training.