Stella McCartney at war with neighbours over plans for Scottish highlands home

British fashion designer and daughter of former Beatle Stella McCartney is reportedly at war with her neighbours over plans for a home in the Scottish highlands.

McCartney, who started her eponymous fashion label in 2001, and her husband, Alasdhair Willis, have reportedly clashed with neighbours over revised plans for a £5 million (AU$9.9 million) ‘modernist’ mansion in Glenuig, a small village on the country’s west coast.

According to The Sun, ‘community council officials’ are concerned over the revamped plans.

Dozens of objections have reportedly been lodged with Highland Council, which is considering the proposal.

McCartney is the daughter of musician Sir Paul McCartney and his first wife Linda, who died of breast cancer in 1998.

She and Willis married in 2003 and share four sons.

They reportedly purchased the land for £450,000 (AU $990,000).

The land, known as Commando Rock, was listed for sale in 2021. At the time, media reports said the then-owner had secured planning rights to build a four-bedroom house and detached garage but never acted on them.

The council’s forestry team reportedly opposed the first plans submitted by the couple in 2023 because of the destruction of Corsican pine trees and the “adverse effect” on other trees.

New plans submitted in September 2024 changed the house design to avoid damaging tree lines.

An updated ecological survey submitted by the architects and quoted by The Sun said the revised placement of the house “largely eliminated any impacts to the trees on site.”

“A management plan which commits to the promotion of a wider area of native tree stock and the removal of invasive, non-native species in a manner which assures trees and native woodland is increased and features in this landscape in perpetuity would lead to a positive impact in the medium and long term.”

More than 60 objections have been lodged with the council. Many objectors raised concerns about the impact on wildlife if one of the the last undeveloped parts of the Roshven coastline was developed.

Among other concerns is the possible loss of access to a nearby track which takes locals to a secluded beach.

According to The Sun, the couple hired conservationists as part of a planning application.

Residents have admitted to installing animal trap cameras to prove the existence of otters and pine martens in the area.

Michie MacDonald, the wife of the local MP, was quoted as saying the block was not suitable for development.

A previous owner of the site has also spoken out against the plans.