Council officials slam US billionaire’s plan for new championship course

Controversial plans for a new championship golf course in Scotland have come under scrutiny.

Ahead of a planning meeting next week, council officials have recommended the proposals should be refused.

The 18-hole course at Coul Links in Sutherland would be built on protected Highland sand dunes and has been deemed ‘too damaging to nature’ to go ahead.

A bid to build the course and associated infrastructure was submitted earlier this year by Developers Communities for Coul Limited (C4C), claiming it will bring tourism and jobs.

The property would be controlled and bankrolled by American golf tycoon Mike Keiser and investor Todd Warnock.

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Keiser, a billionaire from Chicago, is the founder and owner of America’s No. 1 golf destination – Bandon Dunes Golf Resort on the south Oregon coast.

He wants to rival fellow American Donald Trump, who owns Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeen and Trump Turnberry in Ayrshire.

The former President’s golf course at Menie, in the northeast, has been blamed for trashing a protected dune system.

Keiser has previously condemned Scotland’s “extremely restrictive” environmental rules, while his latest plans have been met with over 700 objections.

The coastal site, near Embo, is an internationally and nationally protected area for nature, with its network of undeveloped sand dunes considered “unique” by experts.

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The Conservation Coalition has welcomed the setback, as Peter Hearn, head of planning at RSPB Scotland, said: “This is a very important decision.

“Scotland is in a nature and climate emergency and tackling this means that places for wildlife like Coul Links must be safeguarded and not swept aside for development.”

According to C4C, the Coul Links course could create 400 jobs and bring £11 million to the local economy each year.

A spokesman said: “We are disappointed, but unsurprised, by the recommendation, but remain hopeful that councillors will recognise the many benefits our proposed development will bring to the area and approve our application.”

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.