CONTROVERSIAL plans by the oil rich billionaire ruler of Dubai to build a lodge at his Scottish Highland retreat which he says he needs for his large family have been recommended for approval.

It follows a long-running row over the scheme which at last comes before Highland Council’s North Planning Applications Committee on Tuesday.

Agents for Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al- Maktoum - who founded the Emirates airline - first applied for planning permission at Inverinate in Wester Ross over a year ago, the third attempt to get approval for the lodge.

Now councillors are finally being recommended to give the go-ahead, subject to conditions.

The scheme has caused an outcry locally. Roddy Macleod, 71, whose home is 65ft from the proposed lodge said it would invade his privacy and spoil the enjoyment of his home, which he has lived in for 35 years. Locals also say the proposed access road for the lodge will cause problems.

But council planning officer Graham Sharp’s report said:”Moving the proposed building further to the west would increase the separation between it and its nearest neighbour, but again what is proposed by the submitted scheme would not result in a situation where it is considered that refusal on the grounds of adverse impact on the amenity of the existing neighbour could be justified.

“The development would represent the fourth house in the applicant's ownership to be constructed since the adoption of the council's affordable housing policy in 2012. As such either on-site provision or a financial contribution towards affordable housing is necessary.

"The housing team have advised that they consider the latter is appropriate, with a sum of £30,000 being required. The agent has advised that the applicant is agreeable to paying this amount, and should committee accept the recommendation to grant this application consent would be issued upon receipt of this sum.

"It is considered that the initial proposal for a building of very similar design to the two applications to the west of the site which were permitted in 2018 did not respond to the local context. The key issues for a successful scheme to do so are the need for the building to appear within the landscape as being complementary to - rather than contrasting with - the existing built development to the east of the site, and for the development to safeguard the privacy and amenity of the existing neighbouring dwelling to the east.

"The previous scheme failed to achieve these requirements on the basis that the monolithic form and imposing baronial architecture of the building were at odds with the modest aesthetics and traditional building forms found in the development to the east of the site.

The aesthetics of the building are now much more muted and less imposing. In addition, the issue of neighbour amenity and privacy is now better addressed with the use of a blank eastern gable and by moving the parking area further away from the boundary with the neighbouring house."

The sheikh’s agents, Farningham Planning Ltd, said most of the land was purchased from The Church of Scotland in 2017 with the benefit of planning permission.

After altering the design because of climate change fears, Highland Council’s flood-risk management team and Sepa both removed their objections.

Alongside the original manor house, the sheikh has added a 16-bedroom hunting lodge with a swimming pool and gym, and several helipads.

Plans for Ptarmigan Lodge - which would act as accommodation for the sheikh’s guests - were originally submitted in March last year.

Nobody has written in support of the latest application - the third for the lodge.

Architects have reduced the size of the proposed building and said it will have six bedrooms rather than nine.

However this time it has drawn over 30 objections.

The sheikh’s architects previously said the family’s trips to Inverinate have been “limited by lack of accommodation” - despite already having 30 bedrooms there - and another 28 approved in February last year.

With reportedly six wives, more than 20 children, numerous relatives and a large entourage of bodyguards and servants, Transport Scotland had also been concerned over the wear and tear to the local road caused by the sheikh’s future trips to his Highland hideaway.

The 70-year-old sheikh, who is believed to have a fortune in excess of £3.3 billion, bought the 63,000-acre estate more than 20 years ago for a reported £2 million.