Vice-president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid al-Maktoum, has applied for the rooms in a new lodge at his Wester Ross retreat which is used for his wives, 23 children and relatives.

The sheikh’s architects say the family’s trips to Inverinate have been “limited by lack of accommodation” - despite already having 30 bedrooms there - and another 28 approved in February.

A supporting statement accompanying the latest application to Highland Council from agents Farningham Planning Ltd says the proposed new lodge is “sympathetic to the existing pattern of development that prevails in the area,” and “compatible with landscape character and capacity within both the immediate and wider surrounding area.”

Given the close proximity of a residential property to the west, the proposed lodge has now been “carefully sited a significant distance away from this property in order to minimise any perceived adverse neighbour amenity issues.”

The 69-year-old sheikh, who founded the Godolphin racehorse stud, has made all his applications to Highland Council through his company Smech Properties Ltd.

Approved in February - subject to conditions - is a lodge for 19 bedrooms as well as a nine-bedroom house.

It is the latest scheme on the estate, which has a triple helipad site and a 14 bedroom holiday home, next door to a 16-bedroom luxury hunting lodge, with pool and gym.

The sheikh, who is believed to have a fortune in excess of £9 billion, bought the 63,000-acre estate more than 20 years ago for a reported £2million.

His family visit every summer to escape the 50C Dubai heat.

In an accompanying design statement for the new lodge, Inverness-based Colin Armstrong Architects wrote: “The owners of Inverinate Estate typically travel in large groups of immediate and extended family and friends.

“In recent years their travel to Inverinate has been limited by lack of accommodation.

“Additional staff accommodation was completed in 2017 to create infrastructure that would support greater use of the estate by the owner and this new application seeks to create residential accommodation for the use of the owners, their family and their guests in order they may enjoy more frequent and extended visits to Inverinate.”

The plans have brought more than 10 written local objections.