Coul Links debate – FOR: ‘Course will help to protect environment’
Communities for Coul (C4C) said:
As a community-led, not-for-profit group, we are delighted to have the backing of local people for our fresh plans to develop a world-class golf course at Coul Links.
The results of a community ballot showed 70 per cent of locals support the proposal and are happy that it will create hundreds of good jobs and long-term sustainability for an area which faces many serious economic challenges.
Environmental questions raised at the public inquiry into the previous, entirely separate, unsuccessful bid to develop a golf course at the site have been extremely helpful in designing the new plans, in which C4C have addressed all areas of previous concern.
Our plans differ from the earlier application in a number of key aspects – including a 90 per cent reduction (to just 1.5 hectares) in the area of the Loch Fleet SSSI that would be developed.
Backed by the findings of independent experts, we believe they now offer the best chance for the wild coastal environment at Coul Links to retain its SSSI designation.
Not enough is currently being done to protect its environmental features, which are rapidly being destroyed by the spread of invasive species, reducing the distinctiveness and biodiversity of the dune system.
We are confident a world-class golf course on the site would provide the funding, expertise, machinery, personnel and motivation required for the management of biodiversity within the dunes into the future.
We hope local people who are in favour of our plans will help us by writing letters of support to Highland Council. For guidance on how to do that, visit www.communities4.coul.scot