Scottish Government calls in Coul Links golf course application

The Scottish Government is calling in the controversial planning application to build a golf course at Coul Links, near Embo.

The move comes after Highland Council’s North Planning Application Committee granted planning permission for the development at its meeting on December 6.

The Scottish Government informed Highland Council of its decision to call in the application in an email dated February 8.

It said: “Having considered the proposal, Scottish Ministers have decided, in terms of Section 46 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 to require the application to be referred to them for determination.

“Scottish Ministers have given this direction in view of the proposed development’s potential impact on nationally and internationally important natural heritage assets and the need for an appropriate understanding of the scale and degree of potential economic benefits arising from the proposal.”

Scottish Government experts will now review the case and send a report with recommendations to Ministers, who will make the final decision.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.