'It looks bombed' - residents slam work on Roseisle Millie Bothy development
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A PICTURESQUE area of Roseisle Country Park looks "bombed", locals say, after work starts on turning a ruined fishing bothy into a holiday home.
A new bid to turn the historic Millie Bothy, located on a popular footpath to Roseisle beach, into a holiday home has infuriated locals.
Currently 132 objections to the plans have been submitted to Moray Council, with nine letters in support.
Similar plans submitted in 2018 and 2021 were denied after thousands of locals signed a petition against developing the bothy.
Heldon Community Council has submitted a formal objection to the recent bid, while MP Douglas Ross and MSP Richard Lochhead have agreed to meet residents to hear their concerns.
A well has already been dug on the site, trees and gorse bushes removed and an access track expanded and filled with aggregate.
The application was submitted on August 23, with a decision set to be made by Tuesday, November 1.
Described by agents Aurora Planning Limited, on behalf of applicant Millie Bothy Ltd, as "restoration and change of use of historic fishing bothy to form a holiday home", the plan would involve rerouting a footpath and increased vehicle traffic through Roseisle forest and on the Burma Road.
A petition against the 2018 proposal to build eight holiday homes on the site received 3164 signatures, after which a Scottish Government appeal denied permission for the development.
Burghead resident Jillian Blackhurst said: "It looks like it has been bombed now, with all the vegetation that has been razed.
"Feelings are running so high.
"So much anger, frustration and disappointment.
"Every day we have people asking: 'What do I say in my objection?'
"We are just trying to take the emotion out of it right now and do what we can to stop this.
"We were only given 19 days to respond from when the application was first made public.
"We had over 3000 signatures on a petition speaking out about the first application and this time too these voices deserve to be heard."
Aurora Planning Limited say the development would: "have no negative impact on existing public access rights or recreational use of the area, with any impact being a positive one; no negative impact on the natural environment; respect and maintain the landscape setting; and deliver a net economic benefit by providing new tourist accommodation for visitors to the area."
New plans aim to restore the bothy to "how the bothy would originally have appeared", including the use of reclaimed masonry.
However, locals doubt Aurora Planning's claims.
Roseisle man Eoin Macdonald's daily walking route passes by the Millie Bothy.
He said: "I will never come back here if they get planning permission.
"I don't want to feel like I am walking through someone's garden when I want to be out in nature and you never feel comfortable in that kind of situation.
"There are so many places locally to put holiday homes that would not be at the detriment of the environment and wouldn't damage such a lovely, secluded area.
"It's all about money."
The site has no public car access, however construction traffic and servicing vehicles for the private water supply and sanitary facilities will have to use an undeveloped forest track and the Burma Road, which is part of the Moray Coast Trail.
Planning documents suggest that guests would leave their cars in the car park and walk, despite an overnight parking ban.
Campaigners claim that trees along the route have already been damaged by construction traffic during early work and that more cars in Roseisle forest could cause accidents.
Mr Macdonald also fears that tree roots could be damaged, potentially putting visitors to the forest at risk from falling trees.
He said: "The trails here are massively used by all types of people including couples walking, runners, dog walkers and horses.
"There will also have to be vehicles coming in and out for servicing.
"Are we just going to let this get approved and wait for an accident to happen?"
Despite their opposition, Mr Macdonald and Ms Blackhurst are happy to maintain a dialogue about the bothy's future going forward.
Ms Blackhurst said: "We would like to say that we never said we didn't want to have the bothy restored.
"But the proposals here don't fit in with what the Council, or anybody else, wants from development.
"They have been in and removed huge amounts of vegetation and habitat all through the nesting season.
"Nature cannot speak for itself. We have got to stand up for nature.
"If you love it you have to defend it.
"There is no justification for this. No justification at all."
Heldon Community Council (HCC) has submitted an objection to the development, on the basis of the impact on the area, flooding concerns and changes to the access route.
An HCC spokesperson said: "It is the belief of HCC that there is insufficient justification provided and insufficient mitigation to enable this proposal to be acceptable.
"HCC notes that this development would significantly alter the character of this unspoilt open dune area and would be detrimental to the natural environment with no justification.
"On this basis and points noted above, HCC seeks that this application is refused on grounds that it is not in accordance with LDP policy and the character of the area."
Campaigners have also been in touch with local politicians, who have offered to meet them.
Richard Lochhead MSP said: “I’m aware of concerns expressed by constituents and, although this is primarily a matter for Moray Council and its planning process with no direct role for MSPs, I will certainly be conveying the views of those constituents that have contacted me.
“I will also be happy to meet those constituents that have requested to meet me.”
Moray MP Douglas Ross said: “Constituents have contacted me to voice their concerns about this planning application.
“Given that the application, which has been resubmitted, is once again going through the planning process within the council it would be inappropriate to comment further.
“I have assured the constituents that if I am able to attend a meeting to discuss this issue further, then I will do my best to attend.
"No date has so far been set for a meeting.”
Mr Macdonald said: "The whole process of this application just looks underhanded to me.
"This really exposes weaknesses in the planning process.
"It is all just based on rules and regulations rather than caring about the feelings of the local people.
"It is a sad state of affairs."
Aurora Planning and Millie Bothy Ltd were approached for this article but did not provide comment.
