Plans for Sutherland golf course turfed out by Scottish Government

Plans for an East Sutherland golf development have been refused permission by the Scottish Government.

At one stage, Highland councillors gave the go-ahead, before the project was called-in by Scottish ministers for further scrutiny.

Now following that inquiry, the government's refused permission.

RSPB Scotland were one of a number of members of the Save Coul Links coalition.

Anne McCall, Director at RSPB Scotland said: “We are extremely relieved and delighted by this decision which demonstrates the high value that Scottish Ministers place on our fantastic and incredibly diverse wildlife in Scotland. These damaging proposals threatened a site of global importance for nature and should never have made it this far.

“I am incredibly grateful to everyone who stood up against this application over the past few years – it’s been a huge partnership effort and inspiring to see how many people raised their voice in support of this amazing place.

"This is a landmark decision of international significance and shows that we can no longer put short term profits above nature. We are facing a global climate and biodiversity crisis and we very much welcome the leadership role provided by Scottish Ministers at this critical time.

We hope that investors and developers alike take heed of this decision and no longer pursue environmentally damaging proposals that put at risk Scotland’s special places for wildlife. There are many more suitable places to build a golf course and we would welcome the opportunity to work with the developers to find a genuinely sustainable alternative.”

But developers argued that the golf course would improve and protect the land, as well as bringing much-needed employment.

Highland Green MSP John Finnie said: “I am absolutely delighted that this ill-thought out and unsuitable application has been rejected. It seems the Scottish Government has learned the lesson from the disastrous decision to grant permission for Trump’s course in Aberdeenshire after all.

“Coul Links is a spectacular site of environmental significance and has several important international designations. I welcome the fact that Ministers have made clear that post-Brexit they will seek to maintain high environmental standards, they can be assured that Greens will continue to keep them under scrutiny in that regard in the long term"

• coul links
• Sutherland
• golf
• Menie Estate