Culloden Housing Approved!

The beautiful farm buildings near Culloden
- surely they should be conserved?

You know, I burst out laughing when I heard the news that the proposal by Inverness Properties to build '16 homes' near the Culloden Battlefield had been approved by the Scottish Government's Reporter, overturning the decision of Highland Council to refuse the application. What did anyone expect? This is 2014 and the sorts of ridiculous matters raised by objectors are irrelevant voices from the past. In any case, it will be more like '160 homes' when this is finished!

Let's have a look at this from the expert planner's viewpoint.  In the first place, it's almost impossible to see the proposed development from the battlefield. Even if you could, it wouldn't matter - people like these nice new houses! They will look a lot better than the Battlefield Centre designed by Servant Architect Gareth Hoskins, the man who prostrated himself before Donald Trump at Menie and bent right over his drawing board to satisfy the Great Man. Perhaps it is the Battlefield Centre that shouldn't have been built - think about that! But look too at these lovely farm buildings that will be demolished - has no one suggested that they be preserved?

Highland Council of course are annoyed by this slap in the face. I'm laughing again but isn't it the same Council who have given permission for a sea of similar suburban residential development around our great Highland City? Honestly, there is so much hypocrisy around. It seems they have forgotten that they have presided over much worse! I'm not complaining though - some of the developments around the city are wonderful, especially the work of  Tulloch Homes who are by far and away one of the best volume housebuilders in the country. Just look at this fabulous image below.

A fabulous Tulloch Homes creation - spellbinding

This is the sort of fantastic development that people want these days. You know, folk talk about the Scottish Government being heavily pro-business as if there was something wrong in that. Usually it's the same old collection of supposedly left-leaning middle class sandal-wearing do-gooders in khaki shorts with too much time on their hands who complain. They should be forced to do Community Service - that would sort them out. I'm really sick of it.

Even here at Auchterness there are people who should be forced to pick up litter twice a week - we are all sick of their petitions, their barrage of emails and their long-winded letters complaining about things that don't matter.

Anyway I'm ranting and rambling now so I will leave it for today. My hearty congratulations go out to the Scottish Government for their excellent decision and to Inverness Properties on their spectacular victory. And to all the folk who are disappointed, annoyed or embittered by this, my message is simple. Get a Life! We live in a New Scottish Enlightenment and we are all very lucky to experience this. Everything is moving in our favour - don't try to stop progress by being an environmental nuisance.  Thank you.