SNP MSP Fergus Ewing has joined with Conservative, Labour, and LibDem politicians to call on the Scottish Government to approve plans for a controversial golf course development on a protected beach.
Ewing, along with Tory MSPs Jamie Halcro Johnston and Edward Mountain, Labour’s Rhoda Grant, and LibDem MP Jamie Stone, have urged the Edinburgh government to green-light proposals for an 18-hole course at Coul Links, at Embo north of Dornoch.
The Coul Links dune system forms part of the Loch Fleet Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and the Dornoch Firth and Loch Fleet Special Protection Area (SPA). It is also protected as a “Ramsar site” under the international Convention on Wetlands, which was signed in 1971.
READ MORE: More than 1000 objections to plan for golf course on Scottish nature reserve
In December, Highland Council approved plans to build on the protected beach site.
In February, the Scottish Government “called in” the application, meaning ministers will take the final decision over whether the development is allowed to go ahead.
Now, developers Communities for Coul (C4C) have won the backing of the five Highland politicians.
The cross-party group have penned a joint letter to the Scottish Government, in which they highlight the “significant economic and environmental benefits of the development, as well as the proven strong local support for it”.
Ewing (above) said: “The community-driven plan will restore the dunes to their former glory. It has been supported by the local council and will transform the prospects for this part of the Highlands. It’s of national economic significance.
“This is a totemic issue: will the Scottish Government throw its full support behind the ‘Highland David’ versus the wealthy metropolitan pressure groups’ ‘Goliath’?"
If C4C are granted planning permission, US billionaire Mike Keiser is to build the golf course.
Keiser was behind a previous application to build on Coul Links, which was also called in by Scottish ministers and rejected in 2020.
C4C pointed to an economic impact study carried out by economist Professor David Bell, which forecast that an estimated £50 million private investment in the Coul Links development would lead to the creation of up to 400 full-time-equivalent jobs and generate around £12m annually for the economy.
C4C’s plans would also see work carried out to preserve parts of the area which are not designated for a golf course.
READ MORE: The ancient Scottish town with a historical significance that is second to none
Labour MSP Grant said: “This development would provide much needed local jobs, create an unparalleled destination for golfers while, at the same time, restore the SSSI and ensure its future protection.
“This would give NatureScot a huge opportunity to guide restoration work that would protect 317 [hectares] of SSSI, which is currently being degraded due to invasive species spreading on the site.
“This move is a game changer and provides the reassurance that those opposed to the development needed.”
C4C director Gordon Sutherland welcomed the support of the politicians. He said: “Since the Highland Council approved our community-led group’s plans, ministers have received thousands of letters from members of wealthy national organisations from around the UK asking them to call the application in.
READ MORE: 'Put smuggler gangs on barge and send them to Scotland', says key Labour figure
“We believe that in orchestrating this campaign the so-called ‘Conservation Coalition’ has entirely misrepresented the facts of this development and ignored the proven views of the clear majority of local people. They have also shown no interest in doing anything positive to restore Coul Links.
“Five Highland politicians from different parties have very clearly and factually set out why they believe it is vital for ministers to look beyond serial misapprehensions repeatedly peddled by these bodies. We warmly welcome their support for our project, for our area and for its unique environment and hope ministers will heed the vitally important facts they have set out.”
Scottish Green MSP for the Highlands Ariane Burgess has spoken against the plans for Coul Links, saying it is "a critically important site and should be celebrated and enhanced, not smothered with a golf course".
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel