Dubai's ruler wins permission to build EIGHTH house on Scots estate

Dubai's ruler wins permission to build EIGHTH house on Scots estate

The billionaire ruler of Dubai has won permission to build an eighth house on his Scottish Highland estate despite concerns from neighbours.

Representatives for Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum lodged plans to erect a five-bedroom home on the Inverinate Estate to accommodate visiting family and friends.

The 74-year-old bought the 63,000-acre estate in Wester Ross more than 20 years ago which boasts three helipads, a hunting lodge and a pool.

However, locals have accused him of building a 'mini Dubai' on the picturesque banks of Loch Duich.

The Highland retreat already has three large homes, a cottage and two lodges. An application was submitted to Highland Council for an eighth home in January whilst a separate application for a seventh property was submitted last year alongside a fence.

Plans show the new lodge will have five bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, a lounge, dining room and a snug area.

A design statement included with the application, submitted to Highland Council in January, reads: 'The visitors of Inverinate estate typically travel in large groups of immediate and extended family and friends.

'In recent years their travel to Inverinate has been limited by lack of accommodation.

'This application seeks to enhance that accommodation by forming a new dwelling.

'The proposed design has sought to sensitively place a modest dwelling house into an area of land which is well hidden from view.'

Representatives for the Sheikh argue the house will have 'minimal impact' on trees and habitats as it will sit on an existing area of grass.

The estate is on the coast of Loch Duich, which is a special area of conservation, and is home to large mammals including red deer, Eurasian otter, pipistrelle, west European hedgehog, bank vole, wood mouse, and harbour seals.

The Sheikh of Dubai , who is one of the UK's biggest landowners and world's richest men, normally travels to the property once or twice a year.

However, locals told MailOnline earlier this year that they were becoming annoyed with his development plans.

Referencing the sheikh's plans for homes on the estate, a resident said: 'Why build two more large houses when he hardly uses the estate at all?

'The reasoning of a 'lack of accommodation' is ridiculous'. There is plenty. '

Another local said: 'We're fighting a losing battle, and I've washed my hands with it all.'

Local Irene Murray, 66, added: 'The work is becoming a little excessive, and although it doesn't impact me directly, it does impact the community as a whole when he builds as it increases traffic to an already extremely busy road.'

However, Highland Council ruled the development was 'acceptable' on the condition that arboricultural and landscape provision is adhered to.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, who has long held ties to this country, owns more than 100,000 acres of land and several sprawling estates.

He even developed a friendship with the late Queen through their mutual love of horses and often appeared as her guest at Ascot.

In 2020, the sheikh won a planning battle to build a six bedroom lodge at the estate after the Scottish Government overruled a council vote to block it.

His plans for Ptarmigan Lodge, on the eastern edge of his estate, were the subject of more than 30 objections from locals.

Highland councillors turned down the application but the decision was overturned following an appeal to the Scottish Government.

The application approved on the condition that the sheikh's property company Smech made a £30,000 payment towards local affordable housing.