Coul Links saved from development | Scottish Wildlife Trust

Breaking news: Coul Links has been saved from development!

This beautiful, wild stretch of coastline is an important habitat for rare and endangered plants and animals. It’s so important for wildlife that it has three distinct levels of protection and was previously managed by the Trust as a wildlife reserve.

A detailed public inquiry regarding Coul Links took place in early 2019. Experts including our former Chief Executive Jonny Hughes gave evidence on the serious harm that would be done to an internationally important wild place.

On 21 February 2020 the Scottish Government announced that the plans were refused due to the unacceptable impact on the natural heritage value of Coul Links.

In this section

What’s the problem?

This site is of international importance for nature. Part of the proposed golf course is within the Loch Fleet Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and the Dornoch Firth and Loch Fleet Special Protection Area.

This area is designated partly because of its fragile network of sand dunes and the birds that shelter on lochans between the ridges. The dunes at Coul Links are particularly unusual because they form a complete undisturbed system from foredune to slacks.

The site is noted for important protected birds including terns, geese and waders, and a rich variety of plants. SSSIs are special sites that are designated as protected areas for good reason, and this protected status must be maintained.

Find out more on our FAQs page.

Along with several other conservation charities, we are challenging the proposals to build an 18-hole golf course on the site. Here are just a few of the reasons why…

Grass of Parnassus ©Mark Foxwell — Grass of Parnassus at Coul Links © Mark Foxwell

Campaign history

1985-2010 – Coul Links managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust as a wildlife reserve.
21 December 2015 – An outline planning application for a golf course at Coul Links was revealed to the public by the Highland Council.
22 August 2016 – The Trust publicly expresses its concerns over the golf course development. Read news story here.
29 September 2017 – A full planning application for the golf course was lodged with the Highland Council.
27 October 2017 – In line with our policy on the planning system the Trust objected to this proposal due to the negative impact that it will cause to a number of important protected areas. You can read our full objection to the development here, as well as our objection to a separate application for a reservoir on the site.
21 November 2017 – The IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas objects to the development
24 November 2017 – Scottish Natural Heritage object to the planned golf course development. Read news story here.
12 December 2017 – The Scottish Environment Protection Agency object to the proposed golf course development. Read news story here.
22 December 2017 – Public consultation on the proposed golf course development closes. More than 1,000 objections were received.
18 April 2018 – Roseanna Cunningham MSP confirms that Scottish Government policy is to apply the same level of protection to Ramsar sites as that which is afforded to designated Natura sites. Read statement here.
5 June 2018 – Highland Council decided to defer their decision on the plans. Read news story here.
5 June 2018 – We sent a joint letter to the First Minister expressing our concern that the Highland Council had deferred their decision on the development. We also wrote to the Ramsar secretariat expressing our concern about the impact on internationally-designated wetland habitats.
20 June 2018 – Highland Council voted to approve the golf course development at Coul Links against the recommendations of their own officials. Read news story here.
24 August 2018 – Scottish Ministers decide to ‘call in’ plans for the golf course. Read news story here.
22 January 2019: In response to questions arising at the reporters’ preliminary hearing of Coul Links, the Scottish Government issues a planning note that reverses its 2018 commitments on the level of protection for Ramsar sites, without consultation. Read blog article here.
26 February 2019 – A public inquiry into the proposed golf course development began. Read news story here.
12-13 March 2019 – Our former Chief Executive, Jonny Hughes, provides evidence as part of a the lengthy public inquiry.
21 February 2020 – The Scottish Government announces that planning permission for a golf course at Coul Links has been refused. Read news story here.