Highland Council’s planning officials have recommended the refusal of plans for a golf course at Coul Links, which would threaten a highly protected sand dune system in Sutherland.

The Council’s North Planning Committee will meet on Tuesday 5 June to discuss the development.

Our Chief Executive Jonny Hughes said:

“We welcome the recommendation of Highland Council’s officials to refuse planning permission for this damaging development, and we hope that councillors will follow this advice when they meet next Tuesday.

“Scottish Natural Heritage’s clear objection to the golf course demonstrates that the effect on the SSSI goes beyond the area that would be directly damaged, and that the true scale of this impact is in fact still unknown.

It would be extraordinary if councillors approve this development against the advice of their officials, in addition to an overwhelming number of objections from environmental organisations and the general public. If it is approved, we believe the Scottish Government should immediately use its powers to put a stop to this misguided proposal, which frankly should never have got so far.”

Coastal sand dunes like those found at Coul Links are one of the world’s fastest disappearing habitats. Globally they are even rarer than rainforests.

The Trust has been campaigning with organisations including RSPB Scotland, Buglife Scotland and Plantlife Scotland to save Coul Links from development.