Outrage at plans for house at Calgary Bay
A plan for a large house along the shores of Calgary Bay has drawn outrage from the residents of Mull.
Alex and Kezzie Acloque’s plans for a four bed house on the pier side of Calgary Bay drew 26 objections in just one weekend after they were spotted and shared by the Friends of Calgary Bay group. As of February 10 that number grew to 32. No letters in support have been submitted.
One objection was even written in the form of a poem in homage to Canadian singer Anne Murray’s ’Please Don’t Sell Nova Scotia’.
Built across three interconnected buildings, architects Dualchas have designed it with a sheltered central courtyard inspired by the nearby ruins of 18th century township Inivea, which lies in the hills above.
It also has parking for three cars, accessible by a new private driveway which begins a short distance from the existing pier and boatshed ruins.
Said boatshed is set to be rennovated for private and community use as part of the project.
The location is currently untouched by housing, and the track is part of the Calgary Dunes SSSI (site of special scientific interest).
The plans would see the current walking path to the pier along the bay closed and turned into a driveway wide enough for machinery to access, with the path relocated closer to the shore.
This aspect of the plans has been critized as "restricting public access" to the many historical sites along thia side of the bay by those opposed.
The home would be visible across the bay and on the beach, with a modern design juxaposed to buildings currently in the area, all of which lie on the other side of the beach.
A waste disposal plant has also been included in the plans, which is larger than the minimum requirement "to allow for potential future development" and discharges treated water into a burn.
Tim Thompson said in his objection that this wording "suggests intensification of use beyond what is currently propsed" which he calls "a concerning lack of transparency".
Objectors point to multiple issues with the "unnacceptable" plans, concentrating on the untouched landscape and environmental impact on the area.
Echoing other statements, Muileach Rhoda MacKinnon said: "A truly outrageous planning application - and worrying that there seems to be additional capacity for further expansion!
"The damage that would be done to the local environment in the construction of this dwelling would be catastrophic for the wildlife. I note a plan to expel treated waste back into the burn, I believe there is an otter holt in that location.
"The visual impact of this development would also be hugely detrimental to Calgary."
The otter holt is also mentioned in the objection from Chairwoman of Mull Historical and Archaeolgical Society Anne Cleave, who also points out the disturbances to the rare Slender Scotch Burnet moth.
A unique point many mention is the disturbance the development would cause the insect species. The moth is found only found at Calgary, a few others sites on Mull and the surrounding isles of Ulva and Gometra, but nowhere else in the British Isles.
Objector Clare Arnold said: "This site is known to support rare and sensitive wildlife species. E.G. Burnet Moths, which I have studied in this area.
"Increased human activity, lighting, noise and habitat disturbance associated with the development would pose a risk to local biodiversity."
Another objector, Katrina Mundy, identifies herself as a regular tourist to the island. She said: "We always drive to Calgary Bay as it is an area of outstanding beauty and peacefulness.
"To have a house built would be detrimental to the area, especially one the size propsed.
"Please do not spoil your island."
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