Scottish Government calls in Coul Links golf course planning application

Embo beach, Sutherland - Image credit: Gary Henderson via Flickr

The Scottish Government is to review controversial plans to build a golf course on a site of special scientific interest in the Highlands.

Highland Council granted planning permission for the golf course at Embo, near Dornoch, in June, despite recommendations from council officials to refuse.

Part of the course would be built on Coul Links, a site of special scientific interest with sand dunes that are an important habitat for a number of plants, animals and birds.

It is also an international special protection area and a Ramsar site – a wetland designated as of international importance.

Developers want to construct an 18-hole golf course on the site, along with buildings including a clubhouse, a shop, caddy hut, workshop, administration building and information booth.

However, the planning application has been called in by the Scottish Government due to an outstanding objection from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).

An independent reporter will consider the evidence and make a recommendation to ministers, who will make the final decision.

Planning Minister Kevin Stewart said: “As Planning Minister, I have called in the application as the proposal raises issues of national importance in relation to natural heritage issues and its compliance with Scottish planning policy and requires further scrutiny. 

“It is right that the decision is taken at the national level.”

Stewart added that he could not comment on the merits of the proposal because it was a live application.

SNH said in November that it appreciated the efforts the developer had made to mitigate the environmental impact and improve management of the site, but they “do not outweigh the permanent loss to the sand dunes”.

Nick Halfhide, SNH director of operations, said: “We recognise the many benefits the development would bring to Embo and the local economy, and we welcome the developers’ commitment to high standards of construction and management.

“However, we are not able to fully support the development as proposed due to the loss of more than 16 hectares of nationally important sand dunes, and the impact on the special plants and animals found there.”