Stella McCartney's Highland home approved by councillors

Councillors have approved plans by fashion designer Stella McCartney and her husband Alasdhair Willis for a clifftop home in the Highlands. The proposals for a site on Loch Ailort, a sea loch west of Fort William, had received more than 65 objections. Opponents raised concerns about the property's size, design and impacts on the landscape and wildlife. A spokesperson for the couple said the stone walls and turfed roof would make it barely visible, and that the energy efficient house would be used as a "family, forever home". McCartney and Willis' proposed site is in an area at Roshven on a rocky headland called Commando Rock which historically was used for military training. A previous owner of the land had started work on a house in the early 2000s, but later abandoned the project leaving some low walls. The couple's project overlaps some of the previous site, and avoids removing pine trees, which had been a cause of some objections. Renewable energy would provide power to the new house. McCartney, daughter of former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney, has established herself as one of the world's leading fashion designers. She was awarded a CBE in recognition of her services to fashion an