HIGHLAND councillors will today decide the future of Coul Links when the controversial application to build a golf course on the sand dunes near Embo in Sutherland is considered at a committee meeting.
Developers want to build a world-class golf course and facilities on the site but part of the course lies within the Loch Fleet Site of Special Scientific Interest and it is in the Dornoch and Loch Fleet Special Protection Area which objectors say should mean the course cannot proceed.
Councillors appeared ready to grant planning permission to US developers businessman Todd Warnock and Mike Keiser but deferred a decision until today for further information.
Having received no major changes to earlier reports from Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, planning officials are continuing to recommend refusal of the plan which the developers say has the support of local people due to its economic boost for the area.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust made a last minute plea, urging refusal.
Jonny Hughes, chief executive of the Scottish Wildlife Trust said: “Coul Links is among the most protected places on the planet. It is particularly important for its coastal sand dunes, which represent one of the world’s fastest disappearing habitats.
“This is one of the most important planning decisions taken in Scotland in recent years. Until the decision is made we remain hopeful that councillors will vote in line with the recommendation of their officials to refuse planning permission.
“If plans are approved the Scottish Government must use its powers to swiftly call in and reject the application.
“Consenting these plans against the recommendation of officials will undermine the credibility of the planning process.”
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. What should we do with our second vote in 2021? What happens if Westminster says no to indyref2?
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 conversation, register under fake names, and post vile abuse. We’ve had hundreds of emails from you complaining about this, asking us to take steps to ensure that these people aren’t given a platform on our site.
We’re listening to you, and here’s how we plan to make that happen.
We have decided to make the ability to comment only available to our 12,000 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.
We’ll be monitoring this change over the first few weeks, and we’re keen to know your thoughts. Email us at letters@thenational.scot if you want to have your say.
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Last Updated:
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
Report This Comment