Kirsty Young’s plans for Loch Lomond lodge on 'Wallaby Island' approved

Plans submitted by broadcaster Kirsty Young and her husband to build a holiday lodge on ‘Wallaby island’ in Loch Lomond have been approved.

The former Desert Island Discs presenter and her husband, Nick Jones, originally filed plans to build the short-stay holiday rental, a three-bedroom lodge, with a new boathouse and shelter, on Inchconnachan after it was put up sale for more than £500,000 in 2021.

However, the details of the application were only made public the following year, and were subsequently met with outcry from objectors and residents, and Woodland Trust Scotland said the redevelopment would see ancient woodland “gone forever”.

The trust said it was concerned about the direct loss of ancient woodland, the creation of boardwalks within the ancient woodland area, noise and light pollution from the build, and the threat to the long-term retention of surrounding trees.

The couple also attracted criticism for the suggestion that their plans could see a colony of wallabies, first brought to the 103-acre island by Lady Arran Colquhoun after the Second World War, removed from the land.

A ‘Save the Wallabies of Loch Lomond’ petition gathered more than 100,000 signatures from people protesting against any attempt to remove the animals.

Now, three years after the proposals were submitted, they have been approved by the authority – albeit with a number of conditions in place.

One states that the lodge should be solely used for short-term holiday use that does not exceed 90 days in one calendar year and not permanent residential use.

A second condition is the boathouse is used for purposes related to the management of the island and not for overnight accommodation.

And before the development can begin, the finalised Inchconnachan Island Management Plan has to be submitted and approved.

In a decision notice, which is available to view on the park’s planning portal, a case officer said: “The proposed development would result in a small loss of habitat, however, the proposals are considered to have a biodiversity benefit through the naturalisation of the former site and the positive management and habitat enhancement of the island.”

Claire Chapman, chair of the Planning and Access Committee at Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority, said: “This application was approved by the Committee following careful consideration of the planning assessment and detailed discussion. We are confident that it will deliver benefits for the island, both in terms of biodiversity and visitor management.

“The Committee recognised that Inchconnachan is subject to special designations for its scenic and habitat/species qualities and as such, careful consideration was given to the impact this development would have on the island.

“It was concluded that the development would not have an adverse effect on the integrity of the protected sites.

“The Island Management Plan – a condition attached to this planning permission – will contribute to enhancing biodiversity on the island and will support continued access and recreation for visitors. It sets out conservation and visitor management measures to benefit the whole island, including promotion of native plant species and woodland diversity, restoration of wetlands and a full-time warden on the island.”