Walkers are angered over plans to build a new croft house near the Kerrera Ferry in Oban.
Coinneach MacLeod – known as the Hebridean Baker – and his BBC Alba presenter partner Peter MacQueen submitted proposals to redevelop a croft at Glenshellach last month.
The couple plan to live on an area of land known as Croft Two and develop an agri-tourism business.
However, walkers have posted a notice asking people to complain to Argyll and Bute Council’s planning department, claiming the development will ‘impinge on their enjoyment of the area’.
It reads: “A planning application has been submitted to Argyll and Bute Council to construct a dwelling house and associated developments on the land just before you drop down to the Kerrera Ferry.
“The area is designated as an area of panoramic quality and zoned as countryside in the local development plan.
“It is an area that is well used by the the community of Oban and visitors for exercise and enjoyment of the countryside.”
The notice added: “If you feel that this will impinge on our enjoyment of the area and affect the landscape quality and access please send your comments to planning.”
Objector Donna Barr, who lives in nearby Crannaig-a-Mhinister, said: “My partner and I walk along this track regularly, we meet others who also enjoy the walk too.
“This would affect so many people who enjoy the tranquility and pleasure of such a beautiful area.
“There are so many areas, such as this, which are now getting reduced due to building developments in and around the Oban area.”
She continued: “I have already seen the damage so far with the work been done on the track being developed on which [I find] personally it is not enjoyable to walk on.”
Argyll and Bute Council’s roads departments said the proposals were acceptable, while the Crofting Commission said it was supportive of developments on crofting land.
The closing date for comments is July 20.
What are the Oban croft plans?
In papers associated with the application, Mr MacLeod and Mr MacQueen said: “The proposed house site is close to the hill, and not proud on the horizon which hopefully diminishes any impact on the panorama.
“Our goal is to work and live on the croft at Glenshellach. As our primary home, we will support ourselves with crofting, food tourism as well as our freelance work both in television and publishing.
“We hope the working croft will include our house, functioning restored agricultural buildings, installation of a polycrub (a gale-proof version of a polytunnel), livestock, planting of native trees and an agri-tourism business.
They continued: “We are fluent Gaelic speakers and will engage with business partners and customers employing the language as a cultural asset wherever possible.”
Who is the Hebridean Baker?
The son of a crofter, Coinneach MacLeod, from Lewis, is also known as the Hebridean Baker.
He is a television presenter, and best selling author, with his third book due for release in October.
His partner Peter MacQueen, from Oban, is a well-known and respected filmmaker and presents a gardening programme on BBC Alba.
Mr MacQueen’s debut book The Art of Living Off Grid is set to be released in November.
