Unlike these builders, the law is toothless

Published on Wednesday 4 November 2009 20:05

NOTICE has been received of the erection of a family residential accommodation unit in the Knapdale Forest in Argyll. This highly unorthodox development, described as a "luxuriously appointed forest lodge built to the highest Scandinavian standards" has proceeded without official permission and observance of the Scottish government's detailed planning procedures, protocols and design guidelines.

Spokesmen for the developers, a family of migrant beavers from Norway, say the building is constructed from highest quality, locally sourced materials and conforms to the most exacting standards as a zero carbon eco home. Unfortunately, this does not excuse the bypassing of planning protocols, inspections and approvals required for a development of this type. No survey report has been obtained from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to establish that the building is not on a recognised flood plain. No traffic impact study has been undertaken. And neither Scottish Natural Heritage nor the Health and Safety Inspectorate has had an opportunity to intervene. Most worrying of all, no approval has been obtained from the Cockburn Society to ensure the building conforms to 18th-century Scottish Beaver period vernacular with approved wooden lintels and frames. It is a day of shame for Scottish planning.