The Prince of Dubai’s planned expansion of his Highland retreat could be put on hold – to allow Transport Scotland to assess the impact his huge entourage will have the local roads.
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid al-Maktoum currently has a 16-bed luxury hunting lodge and 14-bed holiday home at Inverinate in Wester Ross, but wants to create space for another 37 guests.
But Transport Scotland has concerns about the impact his large entourage would have on local roads, and wants details on how often he is planning to head north so they can consider the cumulative traffic impact.
The billionaire sheikh is seeking planning permission for two more lodges and a nine-bedroom house through his company Smech Properties Ltd.
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His architects say the family’s trips to Inverinate have been “limited by lack of accommodation” – despite already having 30 bedrooms there, as well as a pool, gym and triple helipad site.
The sheikh, who has an estimated £13.7 million fortune and is founder of the Godolphin racing stable, bought the 63,000-acre estate more than 20 years ago and uses it to escape the summer heat in Dubai.
Highland Council is still considering the application, but Transport Scotland has asked more time to put forward its representation and said an indication of the “frequency and length of visits should be submitted along with an indication of the cumulative traffic impact.”
Ken Aitken, from the organisation, told the council: “Three applications have been submitted for large houses at this location. No information has been provided on their use either individually or cumulatively.
“The design statement submitted with the application indicates that the construction of the three houses in addition to the larger house previously consented will allow the owners, their family and their guests greater use of the estate to enjoy more frequent and extended visits to Inverinate. An indication of the frequency and length of visits should be submitted along with an indication of the cumulative traffic impact.”
The authority’s own forestry officer has made a similar request for information to ensure the surrounding woodland will not be destroyed.
Sepa, meanwhile, has said the home overlooking Loch Duich must be built above ground level because of the risk of flood.
