Seeking princely help over mountain view

摘要

While the Guardian battles to get its hand on the so-called 'black spider memos' - 27 'private' letters sent between Prince Charles and the government in 2004 and 2005 -the heir to the throne has become embroiled in another architectural hoo-ha: this time a planning dispute in the Highlands. According to the Scotsman, His Royal Highness stuck his oar into a row over an 18m-high sports hall being built at the new £7 million Gaelic Primary School in Fort William after being approached by 86-year-old Betty Cameron. The combative pensioner wrote to Prince Charles over the proposals which she said obliterated views of the UK's highest mountain, Ben Nevis. Surprisingly he agreed to help, Clarence House telling her: 'Generally speaking, planning issues of this kind are not areas in which his Royal Highness can become involved. However, I will make enquires of Highland Council and will write back.'