Sir Cameron Mackintosh, the theatre impresario, has been accused of "destroying" his village in the Scottish Highlands over his plans to develop its harbour.
The tycoon, 66, who was behind West End hits Cats, Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables, has proposed a £750,000 development of new marina facilities including a private pier in Mallaig, on Scotland's west coast.
But villagers have attacked plans to include a food outlet at the site, saying there are plenty of local restaurants and adding more competition will harm local businesses.
Sir Cameron is said to be "deeply hurt" over the personal nature of some of the attacks and to be considering abandoning the project altogether unless it is backed by the local community.
The controversy is the second to engulf the theatre mogul in recent weeks, after he was labelled a "disgrace" for using foul language at a funeral service for a former employee.
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The incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour and St Cumin in Morar was reported to the Bishop of Argyll and the Isles, Joseph Toal.
Sir Cameron, who is worth an estimated £725 million, bought the 15,000 acre Nevis Estate where he had spent his holidays as a child in 1994.
His development plans involve building new marina facilities in the style of an ancient crannog – an artificial island built on a loch – as well as demolishing the old village hall, building two residential units and mixed use space including retail, food and drink outlets including hot food takeaway.
Mallaig: villagers have attacked plans saying there are plenty of local restaurants and adding more competition will harm local businesses
The scheme will be considered by the Highland Council in the new year but some villagers have already objected and begun a petition.
Michele Milligan of The Steam Inn, a Taste of Scotland award winner, said: "How in God's name is another one (food outlet) going to benefit anyone? You say 'it will provide jobs', I say I will need to pay off staff as there won't be enough to go around.
"By all means renovate what existing buildings are there and clean the place up," she added. "If Mr Macintosh wants to invest money do it wisely and not to the detriment of already struggling businesses."
Café owners Linda and Peter McLean added: "Having new retail, catering and carry-out facilities would be to the detriment of existing businesses within the village – these businesses are mainly locally owned and provides much needed employment to local people."
Charlie King, the vice chairman of the Mallaig Harbour Authority which are to gain new lavatories and shower facilities under the plans, said Sir Cameron had been "very hurt" over the criticism.
"He had received an email from one of the objectors claiming that he was destroying the village," he said. "It really annoyed him. He says he is spending £750,000 on helping the village.
"He has taken the criticism badly. He has received quite a few personal attacks over this and he said to me that 'if they don't want it he does not need to do it.' He will never make money in his lifetime from this."
Mr King, a former Highland councillor for the area, said Sir Cameron had told him he was going to drop the restaurant from the plans and replace it with a bakery.
Andrew Aitchison, the estate's agent, added: "Unless there was strong support in the majority of the community, Sir Cameron would not proceeded against the wishes of the majority of the village."
Sir Cameron has had problems on his estate before, with arsonists setting fire to his 19ft Orkney Fast Liner boat on Loch Morar in 2011.
Weeks earlier, a court had ruled in Sir Cameron's favour in a land dispute with a Crofting tenant. In November 2000, Sir Cameron's then holiday home on the shore of Loch Nevis burned down in a mystery fire.
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