Prince Charles has been warned of the environmental impact of building a luxury wedding venue in the grounds of his Scottish stately home – only one day after he urged others to protect the planet on Earth Day.
The new state-of-the-art building is set to be built at Dumfries House in Cumnock, Scotland, to allow it to offer high-end wedding packages.
However, the local council has told The Prince of Wales that he needs to install nest boxes next to the new development as it could disturb active bat, owl and bird roosts.
Prince Charles has been warned about the impact of building a luxury wedding venue near protected woodland on his Scottish estate (above is an artist impression of the plans)
The existing marquee at Dumfries House is said to detract from the building’s character of the historical property and a new site has planning permission
Prince Charles’ estate will have to remove 89 trees and new ones must be planted
He was also ordered to plant new trees on the Scottish estate to make up for the loss of nearly 100 protected species including conifers.
Weddings are currently held in the Tapestry Room of the historic property, with receptions taking place in a marquee erected next to the main house.
But the current marquee is thought to detract from the character of the historical property so bosses submitted plans for the new venue set to be built in surrounding woodland.
The new building will cater for up to 200 guests, with plans to also build a new walled garden next to it, both of which were approved last year.
The Prince’s Foundation, which runs Dumfries House, is now racing against time to build the new venue before temporary planning permission for the marquee expires next year.
The Prince of Wales released a hard-hitting message to mark Earth Day amid the coronavirus pandemic just 24 hours before being warned about the environmental impact of building work planned for his estate
This area of woodland contains birds, bats, owls and other wildlife that could be affected
Couples will be able to get married in the idyllic natural setting in Ayrshire, Scotland
Documents reveal that East Ayrshire Council told The Princes Foundation: ‘The proposal will result in the removal of 89 trees within an existing woodland area.’
It notes that ‘compensatory tree planting’ will be needed to ensure that ‘the woodland is maintained and biodiversity is promoted.’
Case officer Craig Thomas added in official planning documents: ‘It would be very beneficial to birds to consider putting up a selection of nestboxes.
‘Nest Boxes for Blue Tits, Great Tits, Starlings and Barn Owls could be considered.
The new state-of-the-art building could disturb active bat, owl and bird roosts nearby
‘Providing nest boxes would be a nice link to the fact that it is a wedding venue being constructed.’
A bird survey by Starling Learning on behalf of The Prince’s Foundation added: ‘As there is a loss of long established woodland, compensatory planting will be required.
‘It is noted that native woodland is planted with similar species to those lost. These should be of Scottish provenance.’
Dovecot Architecture and Design Limited, the Prince’s planning representatives, said of the plans: ‘Event hosting is vitally important to the survival of all that goes on within Dumfries House Estate and farther afield.
This aerial shot shows the application sit’s proximity to Dumfries house itself and the ground
The grand main building will be nearby the planned site hosting luxury weddings
‘Income generated by wedding and corporate event hosting is essential to the day to day running of the estate and the wide range of educational programmes that run throughout the year.’
The warnings from the council also come just a day after Charles warned others to protect the planet in a speech to mark the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.
In a statement, the 71-year-old, who recently recovered from coronavirus, said: ‘As we reflect on the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, I have long believed that people often will not act until there is a crisis.
‘The challenge I have found with climate change and biodiversity loss is that the danger often feels all too distant.
‘Equally, the slowdown of human and industrial activity has shown just how quickly the Earth can heal itself when we let it.
‘We need only look to the improved air quality in some of the world’s major cities and the return of wildlife to our communities and waterways.
The Prince of Wales had wanted to re-introduce red squirrels to the estate but those plans were shelved after they could not explain how they would keep them separate from grey ones
‘Air, water, soil and landscapes are vital to human health and wellbeing.
‘Biodiversity, the incredible interconnectedness of plant, animal and insect life, which we are rapidly destroying, holds insights and solutions that we have yet to discover; its protection and genuinely sustainable management is vital to our survival as a human species.’
The Prince of Wales has previously spoken of his dream of creating a haven for red squirrels in the grounds of his estate but those ambitions were dashed as Scottish National Heritage wanted to know where the squirrels would come from and how they would be kept separate from their grey enemies.
Plans were in place for a raised wooden walkway and visitor centre to be built but those were shelved and Dumfries House Trust was forced to withdraw the plans when they failed to find an answer.
The prince helped arrange a £45million deal to buy Dumfries House and its collection of Chippendale furniture in 2007. His own charitable foundation contributed £20million.