Prevent precious and beautiful wild dune habitats from being turned into a golf course.
A planning application was submitted to Highland Council to construct a golf course on Coul Links, Sutherland but the applicant is not Trump Golf. The target lies within Loch Fleet Site of Special Scientific Interest, Special Protection Area for birds & Ramsar wetland, which is predominantly estuary. Coul Links is one of very few expanses of undeveloped & largely unspoilt sand dunes remaining in Scotland, & its special wildlife & landforms are protected by those UK & European legal designations & international treaty. Development would be at odds with Highland Council’s environmental policies.
The government’s conservation agency, which has objected, describes SSSIs as “areas of land & water that Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) considers to best represent our natural heritage - its diversity of plants, animals & habitats, rocks & landforms, or a combination of such natural features. They are the essential building blocks of Scotland's protected areas for nature conservation … It is an offence for any person to intentionally or recklessly damage the protected natural features of an SSSI."
Trump got official approval to destroy Foveran Links SSSI after exaggerating economic benefits, much shenanigans & Scottish Government intervention. That site may be denotified as SSSI. Presently the speculator is Coul Links Ltd. led by Mike Keiser, President of Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Oregon, Trump Golf’s main global rival, & entrepreneur Todd Warnock who claims (like Trump) 'I can make this environment better'.
From October 2015, press articles publicised proposals for the international 18-hole golf course. The developers blithely spoke of perceived advantages to golf & economy, ignored nature conservation legal designations but mentioned new nature trails & wildlife ‘information’. Development propaganda has not informed the public how much wildlife, habitat, landforms & amenity will be destroyed & degraded. Exhibitions, to elicit public votes of support, have either paid scant attention to the wildlife, as in the August 2016 displays which relegated a habitat survey to just a tiny cryptic map at Scottie dog eye level, or in October 2017 presented flawed ecology. The less truth people know the less insensitive the plans appear.
Golf course construction would be an unnatural catastrophe. It would mean excavating, recontouring, burying wet slacks, reseeding with introduced grasses, addition of plastic membranes, irrigating & intensively mowing 40.5 ha, habitat fragmentation, under-grazing & eradication of (valuable grazers & browsers) rabbits & deer, fertilising & herbiciding (& run-off), with substantial collateral damage, immediate & insidious, & bulk habitat & species translocation of 4.5 ha. dune heath, with insects & rare lichens, & 100 rare dune juniper, with displacements on receptor areas, contrary to government policy:
http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-2920.
Size & connectivity of habitats are ecologically critical, affecting species populations, diversity, interaction & survivability. Construction traffic, borrow pits & sand-moving would disturb & damage the geomorphology, hydrology (water quality & seasonality), low-nutrient profiles (on which plants rely) & habitat biodiversity over a much wider area. Fine irregular patterns of topography, micro-habitats & vegetation mosaics, like dry hummocks & wet slacks, would be destroyed, displacing specialised, scarce, rare & vulnerable plants & insects. Human disturbance would reduce bird populations in surviving habitats.
Dunes naturally have cycles of erosion & deposition. Plans include greens & fairways constructed near the crest of the foredunes & a burn outlet, eliminating important species & weakening natural sea defences regardless of the increasing risks. This would probably necessitate adding a culvert & an artificial expanse of boulder rip rap, leading to beach narrowing (part National Nature Reserve) & coastal erosion nearby, the judgement of leading geomorphologist Dr Jim Hansom of Glasgow University.
Compromise from 'invasive' species, the result of management neglect & rejected SNH grant aid (£230,000 since 2010), & regenerating North American lodgepole pines (misidentified by golf's ecologists as Scots pines), is being grossly exaggerated to excuse 'remediating' so much natural vegetation with manicured mediocrity. Naturalness is a key criterion in SSSI selection. Bracken, gorse, tall herbs & rank grassland support more wildlife than lawns:
https://butterfly-conservation.org/files/habitat-bracken-for-butterflies.pdf.
The endemic Fonseca's seed-fly, thought endemic to Sutherland dunes, requires 'weeds'. Claims about an environmental net gain from moving fragile habitats & species, controlling Scots pine, rare & native at Coul, & cessation of duck shooting are ludicrous.
Threatened habitats outside the SSSI, in a golf 'remediation' area, are of comparable quality, including the tallest foredune & spring habitats, supporting many species, including Fonseca's seed-fly, rough horsetail, moonwort, fragrant, frog & creeping lady's-tresses orchids, small blue butterfly & plants at their northern UK limits, like restharrow & abundant rock-rose, the food-plant of dependent scarce northern brown argus butterfly.
The developers talk of 'sensitivity', 'minimalism', ‘naturalness’, 'utmost care' & the high repute of its designers, but experience in Oregon paints a different picture:
http://www.notcoul.com/developers.html
Leading dune ecologist Dr Tom Dargie describes the developer’s surveys & Environmental Statement as ‘unfit for purpose’. He judges the site worthy of (European) Special Area of Conservation (SAC) status, which would have prevented such development being considered.
There is a superfluity of coastal golf courses in Scotland, many undersubscribed. The environmentally responsible option is to avoid development within such special habitats.
PETITION IS STILL ACTIVE.
It was delivered to Highland Council ePlanning in Dec 2017 & again, after Planning Officer recommended development refusal, in May 2018. However, Councillors (except one) voted to approve, against professional planning advice & SNH objection. The planning application was called in on 24 August 2018, for determination by Scottish Government. It was discussed at the Public Inquiry in Feb & March 2019, the results of which are likely to be protracted.
Maps © Stamen; Data © OSM and contributors, ODbL
DPEA INQUIRY WEBCASTS (see 26 Feb to 22 March, 2019:
https://dpea.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcasts
NOT COUL (opposition group): https://www.notcoul.com/home.html
COUL LINKS LTD (development propaganda): https://www.coullinks.co.uk/
WIKIPEDIA (few inaccuracies): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coul_Links
https://www.ross-shirejournal.co.uk/news/coul-links-plans-are-damaging-and-inappropriate-charities-claim-176004/
https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/highlands/1704501/leading-witness-for-not-coul-put-on-the-stand-as-coul-links-inquiry-enters-day-13/
https://theferret.scot/ramsar-sturgeon-wildlife/
PUBLIC INQUIRY (DPEA Ref: NA-HLD-086) WEBCASTS
https://dpea.public-i.tv/core/portal/home
NB REVISED STARTING TIME: 9:30 am Tuesdays to Fridays
The Scottish Government Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) will be holding a Public Inquiry to examine and recommend the outcome of the planning application for the proposed golf course on Coul Links, within Loch Fleet SSSI and Loch Fleet & Dornoch Firth Special Protection Area and Ramsar international wetland.
The Inquiry will take place in the Carnegie Hall, CLASHMORE, Dornoch, IV25 3RG, starting at 10 am on TUESDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2019. The venue is a few miles south-west of Dornoch, a little west of the A9, and it has disabled access. The Inquiry will be of at least 4 WEEKS DURATION, Tuesdays to Fridays only. The public is welcome to attend to observe proceedings. There will be a sound system in use and a webcast of the proceedings.
Paper mountain range: http://www.dpea.scotland.gov.uk/CaseDetails.aspx?ID=119883
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/plea-to-ditch-harmful-coul-links-wetlands-golf-course-near-dornoch-lgbk22l5b
https://www.scotsman.com/news/environment/public-inquiry-into-coul-links-golf-plan-set-to-start-1-4879199
https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/inverness/1686974/controversial-coul-links-public-inquiry-underway/?utm_source=twitter
Not Coul is FUND RAISING at this critical moment to oppose this golf development. We are only opposing group fighting on all fronts: environment AND economics. We have a great team of experts for Public Inquiry, starting on 26th February. Together, with the formidable nature conservation & access charities coalition, we can defeat the planning application.
https://www.notcoul.com/home.html
https://theferret.scot/ramsar-coul-links-scottish-ministers/
https://www.nature.ac/2019/02/03/scottish-government-leave-wildlife-at-risk-from-coul-links-golf-plan/
https://www.thenational.scot/news/17405007.scottish-government-leave-wildlife-at-risk-from-coul-links-golf-plan/
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/us-tycoon-todd-warnock-in-the-rough-over-plan-to-develop-a-five-star-resort-near-dornoch-w35mzt6mx
WEBCASTS of Planning Meetings June 2018 (archived for 1 year):
https://highland.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/356287
https://highland.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/354088
I will keep these links near the top of this heap because they reveal how many elected councillors prefer disingenuous propaganda to science & are dismissive of Highland Council planning policy, professional planning recommendation, expert government agency objections, over 90,000 petition signatories & all those cogent objections submitted. You can read objections via links provided here but it is too late to object:
http://www.notcoul.com/inquiry.html
Andrew Weston
Not Coul 38 Degrees Coul Links FUNDRAISING:
https://speakout.38degrees.org.uk/campaigns/4907
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WV8sQRhWWPk
Farming Today BBC Radio 4:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0001xvd
https://www.scotsman.com/news/environment/us-billionaire-plans-for-rival-trump-golf-course-could-be-halted-due-to-rare-fly-1-4845674
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6509529/US-billionaire-golf-tycoons-10m-plan-Scottish-course-rival-Trumps-ruins.html
https://www.tgomagazine.co.uk/news/walking-bodies-unite-to-fight-controversial-coul-links-golf-course-bid/
https://butterfly-conservation.org/news-and-blog/top-nature-experts-confirmed-for-coul-links-inquiry-in-the-scottish-highlands
https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/highlands/1631616/nature-experts-announced-as-coul-links-inquiry-approaches/
Not Coul chairman, Dr Tom Dargie, wins Nature of Scotland Political Advocate of the Year Award 2018!
https://www.rspb.org.uk/about-the-rspb/at-home-and-abroad/scotland/nature-of-scotland-awards
PRE-EXAMINATION MEETING press:
https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/highlands/1599280/rules-teed-up-for-coul-links-inquiry/
http://www.thenational.scot/news/17189799.controversial-coul-links-inquiry-expected-to-begin-in-february/
https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/highlands/1598224/setting-the-stage-for-a-public-inquiry-into-the-coul-links-plan/
The Scottish Government Planning and Appeals Division (DPEA) has circulated an agenda for the PRE-EXAMINATION MEETING which is scheduled to be held on Wednesday 31 October 2018 at The Carnegie Hall, Clashmore, near Dornoch, IV25 3RG.
http://www.dpea.scotland.gov.uk/CaseDetails.aspx?ID=119883
Government intervention:
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/16598787.golf-course-plans-called-in-by-ministers-over-issues-of-national-importance/
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ministers-review-coul-links-golf-project-7jd5z0v0x
http://www.thenational.scot/news/16598423.scottisk-government-delays-controversial-coul-links-golf-course-build/
https://theorkneynews.scot/2018/08/25/golf-course-development-on-coul-links-to-be-reviewed-by-scottish-government/
http://www.itv.com/news/2018-08-24/golf-course-plans-called-in-by-ministers-over-issues-of-national-importance/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-45295948
https://butterfly-conservation.org/news-and-blog/scottish-ministers-step-in-to-make-final-decision-on-controversial-golf-course
https://www.birdguides.com/news/proposed-coul-links-golf-course-suspended/
https://johnfinnie.scot/2018/08/24/finnie-welcomes-coul-links-call-in/
EXTENSION until 28 August 2018 for Scottish Government call-in decision:
https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/highlands/1531927/decision-on-controversial-coul-links-delayed/
https://stv.tv/news/north/1425394-coul-links-planning-permission-delayed-after-objections/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-45018063
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/16387036.trust-demands-overhaul-of-planning-system-amid-fears-for-iconic-sites/
https://www.northern-times.co.uk/News/Scottish-ministers-extend-their-review-period-on-Coul-Links-31072018.htm
https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/highlands/1531227/hold-for-reaction-heritage-sites-at-risk-conservation-boss-claims/
Likely denotification of Trump's Menie Golf Club Foveran Links SSSI:
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/trump-resort-has-ruined-sand-dunes-09cdkqnch
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/29/donald-trump-golf-environment-sssi-damaged-broken-promises
Latest Coul Links Ltd propaganda website makes low viewpoint on felled conifer plantation appear like The Somme battlefield aftermath (although it is quite biodiverse & just needs time to recover, not turfing): https://www.coullinks.co.uk/
Not Coul Gallery is more positive: http://www.notcoul.com/gallery.html
Trump golf course 'destroyed' dunes:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-44795229
BBC TV One Show 7pm Wednesday 11 June 2018 featuring short feature on Coul Links:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b9z3cr
https://www.scotsman.com/news/environment/environmental-experts-call-on-holyrood-to-block-golf-course-1-4763561
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ministers-are-urged-to-review-golf-course-plan-bg6mwzbn0
"Todd Warnock, the Coul Links developer, said the project involved less than 1 per cent of protected habitat".
Chair of Planning Committee said that local opinion is about evenly divided. SNH figure for immediate habitat loss is 40.5 acres of SSSI. Most of the non-SSSI dunes are of equal ecological value. Development support has been gained by hoodwinkery about environmental friendliness. The main developer is Mike Keiser & Todd Warnock is the charm-offensive man. Latter never tires of that misleading argument, which presumes damage will be contained to golf footprint & ignores the fact that Loch Fleet SSSI is predominantly tidal mud & sand estuary, where even Keiser would not build; & there are substantial areas of pinewood, beach & saltmarsh.
AW
'Good Morning Scotland' 7 July 2018
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b8g4lw
Slide player to 36:00, 1:36:00 & 2:36:00 for Coul Links items (note BBC radio precision).
Available to listen to for July only.
PLEASE SUPPORT THIS RSPB CAMPAIGN
to save Coul Links and urge the Scottish Government to call-in the decision:
https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/community/ourwork/b/scotland/archive/2018/06/23/fate-of-coul-links-now-in-the-hands-of-scottish-government.aspx
A wild and remote stretch of Scotland’s northeast coast has been hailed as “the most important dune lichen habitat site in the British isles”.
https://www.scotsman.com/news/opinion/ilona-amos-101-reasons-to-stop-the-planned-coul-links-golf-course-1-4759663
An unfortunate link in this long-awaited Guardian article, which Directs readers to the developer's propaganda, misinformation & disinformation website, attempting to breathe death into Coul Links & criticising Not Coul ecologists. As was evident at the recent special Planning meeting, elected councillors believe this development propaganda about habitat gains, against expert & scientific recommendations and objections, and one said that the developer cannot be faulted.
AW
http://www.notcoul.com/rebuttals.html
For most things Coul, please refer to this reliable & impartial website, but read developer's statements & propaganda with caution: https://www.coullinksgolf.com/
PLEASE SUPPORT THIS RSPB CAMPAIGN TO SAVE COUL LINKS
We have only a few weeks to urge the Scottish Government to call-in the decision:
https://e-activist.com/page/25176/action/1?ea.tracking.id=ncc
The Times: "Councillors ignore environment to approve £8m Coul Links plan":
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/councillors-ignore-environment-to-approve-8m-golf-course-plan-9sxcqq2sv
https://www.scotsman.com/news/controversial-highland-dunes-golf-course-gets-green-light-1-4757394
In the Special Planning Meeting of 20 June 2018, Councillors have agreed to approving the planning application for the golf course, with only one (Cllr Craig Fraser) against and one abstainer. The decision is against the recommendation of the Planning Officer to refuse and against the objection of expert scientific advice of Scottish Natural Heritage. Therefore the planning application will now be for Scottish Ministers to decide or possibly be the subject of a Local Public Inquiry. I hope the ecological and flood defence details aren't lost there, prioritising economy to the impoverishment of nature that money should not be able to buy.
Andrew Weston
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-44537876
Read development propaganda nonsense with caution:
http://www.golfpunkhq.com/news/article/coul-links-plans-passed-by-councillors-
Coul Links SPECIAL PLANNING MEETING LIVE WEBCAST 20 June 2018:
https://highland.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/356287
(archived for one year).
NB Chair of Not Coul, Dr (not 'Mr' as is being repeated) Dargie, is one of the leading dune ecologists in the UK & has surveyed 95% of Scotland's dunes and machair habitats for Scottish Natural heritage. Other members of the opposition campaign are surprised his judgement on hydrological impacts on the ecology have been dismissed by SEPA.
SNH's objection states: "The water table and water chemistry of Coul Links are very important as they influence the sand dune vegetation communities which they support, especially the sand dune habitats. Fertiliser, herbicide or pesticide could be washed towards or even into a dune slack potentially damaging these dune habitats."
AW
Highland Council Planning Committee SPECIAL MEETING & WEBCAST about Coul Links is scheduled for Wednesday 20 June 2018. Scottish Environment Protection Agency has submitted new comments but no objections on hydrological or sea defence damage. Scottish Natural Heritage's objection remains: "We object to this proposal as it will result in significant adverse effects on sand dune habitat of national importance".
AW
https://highland.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/3992/north_planning_applications_committee
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-44495020
Planning meeting webcast 5 June 2018 (archived for 1 year):
https://highland.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/354088
The decision has been deferred, pending SEPA's consideration of extra material provided by Not Coul (timeously) about Ramsar wetland impacts & potential contaminated land. SEPA was 'relying on the accuracy of the habitat assessment that the applicant submitted' & Not Coul has questioned this with supporting evidence.
Andrew Weston
Not all the Planning Committee spoke, so some may be minded to vote differently & follow the Planning Officer's recommendation to refuse planning permission, when the decision is made.
Several councillors spoke to say they are minded to approve of the development, disregarding the legal protection, Highland Council environmental policy, the recommendation of the Planning Officer, expert advice of Scottish Natural Heritage & the cogent & detailed objections of many conservation & access charities, Not Coul, independent ecologists, naturalists, golfers and other individuals, let alone the 89,000 petition signatories, c.2,000 of whom live in Highland Council region.
For reference (too late to object now): http://www.notcoul.com/object.html
AW
"First minister must step in to save precious habitat from destruction"
http://thirdforcenews.org.uk/tfn-news/first-minister-must-step-in-to-save
http://thirdforcenews.org.uk/tfn-news/100-days-of-action-for-scotlands-endangered-species
http://www.golfpunkhq.com/news/article/coul-links-development-moves-another-step-closer
https://www.nts.org.uk/stories/conservation-bodies-ask-first-minister-to-step-in-on-coul-links-decision
PLANNING MEETING & WEBCAST
Agendas, reports and minutes of North Planning Applications Committee
Agenda for Tuesday, 5 June 2018, commencing 10:30 am
Item 6.1 Coul Links golf course:
Development of 18 hole golf course, erection of clubhouse, renovation of existing buildings for maintenance facility, pro-shop, caddy hut, workshop, administration building, information booth, formation of new private access from C1026
Members are asked to agree the recommendation to refuse ...
Item 6.2 Coul Farm golf course reservoir & boreholes [outside SSSI]:
Members are asked to agree the recommendation to grant ...
https://www.highland.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/3981/north_planning_applications_committee
https://highland.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/354088
https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/highlands/1487017/councillors-face-huge-decision-over-controversial-highland-golf-course-plans/
https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/highlands/1485264/coul-links-developers-welcome-renewed-objection-letter-from-scottish-natural-heritage/
http://www.thenational.scot/news/16265206.MSP_raises_hope_that_golf_course_plan_could_still_tee_off/
Notes:
Dr Dargie surveyed 95% of Scotland's dunes for SNH. He parted company with Trump after his recommendation to avoid Foveran Links SSSI was ignored. That site may be denotified as an SSSI. Coul Links is more biodiverse and more highly protected (SSSI, SPA & Ramsar).
Aerial photo shows gorse in flower and the degree of developer's exaggeration about its invasion, which is being used to lever development.
Architect Coore told GCA: “Coul does not remind me of any site with which we have worked before. With its varied natural landforms and environments, it has a more multi-character feel than is generally seen at the majority of classic seaside links ... Coul has some of the most natural and interesting green sites we have ever discovered on any site ..."
So why create yet more of the same artificial biopoverty?
AW
NB
SEPA's objection pertains largely to areas outside the SSSI & doesn't mention the folly of building golf courses on eroding foredunes.
Earlier SNH objection to dune habitat loss and 'significant adverse effects' remains and ecologists not on the developer's payroll would judge is insurmountable:
http://www.notcoul.com/object.html
AW
I believe the planning hearing is scheduled for 10:30 am on 5 June 2018 at Highland Council Inverness HQ. Public wishing to attend the planning meeting & listen to the case officer's Coul Links presentation could check with Communications & Resilience Office. I don't believe that public will be allowed to contribute. If too many attend, they might queue, camp or jostle for space & chairs:
https://www.highland.gov.uk/info/695/council_information_performance_and_statistics/386/communications_and_resilience_office …
SWT revised blog with new graphics:
https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/our-work/our-advocacy/current-campaigns/coul-links/
As advertised by Highland Council in The Northern Times and Edinburgh Gazette, an addendum to the planning application now results in a 28-day EXTENSION for PUBLIC COMMENT until 25 May 2018.
http://www.notcoul.com/object.html
https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/highlands/1472397/coul-links-would-be-good-for-the-economy-and-environment-says-us-mayor/
Mayor Schamehorn of Bandon, Oregon: "Concerns that people have now will be gone once the course is developed ... He does everything first class and in a very environmentally friendly way. Mike Keiser is good for the economy and good for the environment.”
NB
The Scottish Natural Heritage objection's figure for direct loss of SSSI habitats is not 34.6 acres but 16.4 hectares or over 40.5 acres. The proposed dune habitat loss outside the SSSI, on land of similar ecological importance, tends to be written off, even without taking account of the long-term effects of weakened coastal flood defences and golf management.
Cameron La Follette is a lady, although referred to as 'he'.
AW
Bandon, Oregon news:
http://theworldlink.com/bandon/news/residents-express-support-concerns-over-proposed-hotel/article_c37f9459-adbe-5417-bc1e-1b3139a933ce.html
https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/inverness/1459054/huge-public-reaction-to-coul-links-gold-course-plans/
NB 'gold course' Freudian slip.
'Dornoch Area Community Council chairwoman Yvonne Ross said that, to date, the community council “has not had one phone call, e-mail or letter from any members of the public”'.
Announcement of October 2017 shows that community groups & others had already made up their minds based on developer's influence & dodgy ecology:
http://dpsmconsultants.com/coul-links-announces-planning-submission/
(NB development PR is now handled by system2.eu)
DACC contact details for locals: http://www.dornochareacommunitycouncil.com/
Minutes provided on request include March 2018:
"Todd Warnock is looking for support from the Community Council for an advertising campaign & has asked for permission to use our logo. This has been checked with Planning & they have no concerns in us giving support in this way."
Andrew Weston (Ecological Surveyor)
Internet search for 'Coul Links' still tells untruths:
"Coul Links: supported by the community| Dornoch and Embo/Coul Links is a fantastic opportunity to boost the local economy and protect a wonderful site. The local community supports Coul Links." Coul Links Limited
PETITION SIGNATURE DEMOGRAPHICS on 22 December 2017 by postcode:
SCOTLAND: AB 1,575; DD 857; DG 581; EH 4,035; FK 802; G 3,195; HS 76; IV 1,820; KA 873;
KW 342; KY 1,166; ML 636; PA 950; PH 863; TD 437; ZE 99.
TOTAL SCOTLAND: 18,307
TOTAL ENGLAND, WALES & NI (+mistypes): 68,479
TOTAL UK: 86,786.
IV=Inverness (including Dornoch & Embo); KW=Kirkwall (including Golspie).
A more detailed analysis of postcodes shows that Highland Council region signatories against Coul Links golf development were 1,965 on 22 Dec 2017.
AW
Excellent downloadable PODCAST (28 minutes):
'Dunes into Bunkers' ~ BBC Radio 4 'Costing The Earth'
Tuesday 3 April 15:30 & Wednesday 4 April 21:00
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09xjw3p
Peter Gibbs (meteorologist) investigates the environmental impact of Trump's golf development on 'protected' dunes at Menie and the controversy over the proposed new course at Coul Links.
Radio 4 Pick of the Week (episode available until 8 May: drag slider to 13:25):
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09y6z2s
NB Dornoch Courthouse was not derelict as described. I don't criticise what has been achieved for business & employment at the former Courthouse in Dornoch, but here is a photograph of the 'derelict' building in March 2015, before it was refurbished for a change to different uses & exterior paintwork changed to dark blue:
https://www.northern-times.co.uk/News/Visitor-centre-planned-for-Dornochs-former-courthouse-19032015.htm
AW
Wildlife in Scotland has weaker protection against damaging developments than wildlife in England and Wales, according to emails released by the government’s conservation agency, Scottish Natural Heritage.
"The regime for safeguarding vital wetlands under the international Ramsar Convention is “stricter” south of the border says SNH, prompting fears that Scotland’s wildlife could “lose out in a race to the bottom”.
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/16130780.Wildlife_more_at_risk_in_Scotland_than_in_England/
https://theferret.scot/wildlife-scotland-less-protection-england/?mc_cid=a6a2a708f3&mc_eid=dce5d6a271
The legal framework for devolving Ramsar protected wetlands to Scotland is confusing, as they are the responsibility of Defra.
AW
SEPA revised response:
https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/highlands/1441251/sepa-withdraws-coul-links-objections/
https://www.scotsman.com/business/controversial-world-class-highlands-golf-course-a-step-nearer-1-4712689
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-43540811
http://www.golf-monthly.co.uk/news/proposed-coul-links-golf-course-scotland-153170
https://www.northern-times.co.uk/News/SEPA-confirm-stringent-conditions-on-withdrawing-their-objection-to-Coul-Links-golf-course-plans-29032018.htm
https://www.northern-times.co.uk/News/SEPA-withdraw-objections-to-Coul-Golf-Course-development-25032018.htm
SEPA's response pertains mostly to land outside the SSSI, some of which is of SSSI quality, particularly dunes, springs & heath near Embo, but doesn't mention the dangers of excavating latter's Big Dune sea defence.
Northern Times article refers to this petition's signatories as being from 'across the world' but the signatures are all from UK postcodes.
AW
http://www.notcoul.com/developers.html
http://www.notcoul.com/evidence.html
News from an associated proposed development in Nova Scotia: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/west-mabou-beach-cape-breton-golf-development-cabot-1.4543178
Coastal erosion prospects for Coul Links Ltd & some Fonseca's seed-fly science:
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/16030511.Warning__golf_links_will_disappear_into_the_sea/
Commissioned Report No. 618
"Survey and ecology of Botanophila fonsecai ... endemic to Scotland"
http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/commissioned_reports/618.pdf
© Scottish Natural Heritage 2013
'...the greater part of Coul Links was out of bounds because of landowner objection'.
Mike Keiser donation to Heartland climate change denial institute:
https://littlesis.org/relationships/408559
Aftermath of storm at Embo, December 2012, after larger overnight waves had subsided:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEnMV143shU
https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/politics/holyrood/1410539/nicola-sturgeon-dismisses-claim-that-officials-interfered-in-highland-golf-course-plans/
Greens' John Finnie challenges government over Coul Links:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-42993279
Open Championship venues such as St Andrew's and Royal Troon could be under water by the end of the century if sea levels rise even slightly as a result of climate change, according to a new report:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/42936199
Climate Coalition report:
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/58b40fe1be65940cc4889d33/t/5a79bac853450a7495861454/1517927115822/Game+Changer.pdf
'The Ferret' with some Freedom of Information disclosures:
https://theferret.scot/scottish-government-mistakes-trump-coul-links/
American tycoon getting cosy with Scottish Government over golf course plans - can this be happening again?
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/15918692.Deja_Vu_____it__39_s_Trump_Mk_IIAn_American_tycoon_getting_cosy_with_the_Scottish_government_over_plans_for_a_golf_course_____it_can__39_t_be_happening_again__can_it_/?ref=twtrec
Meanwhile a parallel controversy is brewing in Inverness County, Nova Scotia, Canada over the proposed expansion of the Cabot Links & Cliffs golf courses, a Keiser private co-enterprise, into public state-owned dunes at West Mabou Beach:
https://www.capebretonpost.com/opinion/letter-cape-breton-provincial-park-must-be-protected-179497
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/cape-breton-west-mabou-beach-provincial-park-golf-cabot-1.4467463
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/cabot-links-golf-course-expansion-cliffs-inverness-resort-beach-1.3791494
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/cabot-links-golf-course-expansion-cliffs-inverness-resort-beach-1.3791494
http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/1401695-inverness-residents-wary-of-beach-path-expropriation
'Eco-friendly' 'recycling [of] communities':
http://www.golfchannel.com/video/mike-keiser-bandon-dunes-and-cabot-links/
Golf developers and supporters still displaying ignorance, panto-style lack of ecological nuance and cavalier attitude towards nature conservation and protection designations, like Ramsar: http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/pdf/RIS/UK13011.pdf
Not Coul rebuttal to fake information on developer's website:
http://nebula.wsimg.com/6687bf0a962d3c1d7672ac8048698592?AccessKeyId=EDC827D8AD8BC3E385FC&disposition=0&alloworigin=1
The PETITION is STILL ACTIVE but was delivered to Highland Council ePlanning on 21 December & again late on 22 Dec deadline, when it stood at 86,786 UK signatures.
18,307 signatories are resident in Scotland & of those 1,820 (c.10%) are from the Inverness postcode & 342 from the Kirkwall postcode (mainly Caithness & Orkney). Edinburgh, Perth, Shetland and Borders postcodes had very good results relative to population size. Population analysis shows strong support in N Scotland, followed by a weighting towards more eastern postcodes. Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen & Kirkcaldy postcodes led the numbers table, with respectively 4,035; 3,195; 1,575 & 1,166 signatures.
Thanks greatly for all this & continued support throughout the UK.
The applicants are still intent on development.
Andrew Weston
FROM ARCHIVE:
From Bandon's abandon in May & June 2014:
CONSERVATION TRACK RECORD of Bandon Dunes Golf Resort subsidiary Bandon Biota:
http://www.oregoncoastalliance.org/habitat-protection/bandon-dunesbiota-bulldoze-roads-and-dig-bore-holes-in-bandon-state-natural-area/
Article by courtesy of Oregon Coast Alliance (ORCA) November 2017
NB © Any reference or linking to this article should be credited to ORCA.
Andrew Weston
'The OREGONIAN' September 2015:
"Golf course developer abandons plans to buy Oregon state park land"
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2015/09/golf_course_developer_abandons.html
Some very apt commentary here below the article (AW):
http://www.geoffshackelford.com/homepage/2017/12/19/coul-links-co-developer-how-i-discovered-trump-is-fueling-an.html
http://www.finegolf.co.uk/2017/12/15/coul-links-welcomed/
"impinging on 1.1% of the Loch Fleet SSSI, seemed to make it a no-brainer."
This ignores several truths: the SSSI is predominantly tidal estuary; an ecological principle of comparing similar habitats, respecting specialised dependent wildlife, like dunes or dune micro-habitats or food-plants; the substantial damage inside & outside the golf lawn from construction & management. Half Coul's coastal juniper, national priority habitat, c.95 plants, saplings to 5m-wide bushes, would be moved but not by Kew Gardens staff. The 'finest team in the world' has a poor conservation track record in Oregon. The option of siting the golf course less destructively is ignored. The monopolising of all coastal dune systems of any extent for golf would be a national disgrace. What is Coul Links as a percentage of the UK? Temperate coastal dunes are much rarer than tropical rainforest.
Andrew Weston
SCOTTISH ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AGENCY OBJECTION
which does not separate the golf course & reservoir applications:
http://nebula.wsimg.com/d11cf1107ba58e1853f0f3b5e35fbe3b?AccessKeyId=EDC827D8AD8BC3E385FC&disposition=0&alloworigin=1
http://www.golfpunkhq.com/news/article/the-battle-against-coul-links-goes-global
Regarding armchairs, I am grateful for the publicity in the Golpunk articles but my photograph on its screenshot was not taken from one. I have recorded & quantified priority species & habitats on the Coul Links proposed lawns, that the developer's ecological surveyors failed to spot, & ecologically surveyed over a thousand square kilometres of land elsewhere for government bodies without an armchair; likewise Dr Dargie's survey of 95% of Scotland's dunes for SNH.
http://www.notcoul.com/evidence.html
Councillor McGillivray of The Crofter 'armchair environmentalists' article (Nov 2017) should take note too when he peddles the same old invasive species & environmental net gain nonsense after SNH & many others have rejected them.
Andrew Weston
"Golf course backers shrug off burgeoning opposition":
https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/highlands/1369732/golf-course-backers-shrug-off-burgeoning-opposition/
SCOTTISH NATURAL HERITAGE OBJECTION:
"The [developer's] EIA [Environmental Impact Assessment] lacks a suitable level of detail and accuracy for a proposal in such an environmentally sensitive location."
http://nebula.wsimg.com/3de01c714f5596ebab45e4ba9c368c01?AccessKeyId=EDC827D8AD8BC3E385FC&disposition=0&alloworigin=1
RESPONSE:
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/environment/15683255.Golf_course_plan_suffers_new_blow/
http://www.northern-times.co.uk/News/SNH-object-to-Coul-Links-golf-course-proposal-27112017.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-42143171
http://www.northern-times.co.uk/News/Coul-Links-developers-welcome-SNH-objection-27112017.htm
http://www.bunkered.co.uk/golf-news/coul-links-project-takes-big-step-forward
http://www.northern-times.co.uk/News/Battle-to-prevent-Coul-Links-golf-course-development-going-ahead-goes-viral-30112017.htm
50,000 signatures reached
20,000 signatures reached
https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/highlands/1360967/coul-links-developers-say-rspb-is-ignoring-their-bird-protection-strategy/
“Cars and cats kill more birds than golfers" (!):
https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/highlands/1357336/coul-links-objectors-exaggerating-impact-on-bird-life/
https://www.northern-times.co.uk/Opinion/Letters/Can-we-not-have-a-sensible-debate-about-Coul-Links-golf-23112017.htm
https://www.northern-times.co.uk/Opinion/Letters/Go-tell-it-to-the-children-23112017.htm
https://www.northern-times.co.uk/Opinion/Letters/Not-Coul-rests-on-the-quality-of-our-arguments-30112017.htm
The golf support letters were quoted in a circular criticising Dr Dargie to Highland Councillors from a Councillor who is chairman of EmboTrust, an investor in Coul Links Ltd.
The Councillors' Code of Conduct: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/Doc/334603/0109379.pdf …
Letters:
"There is shooting of wild fowl in the key winter breeding period" (!)
https://www.northern-times.co.uk/Opinion/Letters/Can-we-not-have-a-sensible-debate-about-Coul-Links-golf-23112017.htm …
https://www.northern-times.co.uk/Opinion/Letters/Not-Coul-rests-on-the-quality-of-our-arguments-30112017.htm …
LOBBYING:
Subsequently the golf support letters were edited in a circular to Highland Councillors, from Councillor McGillivray, chair of Embo Trust, an investor in Coul Links Ltd. He wrote in the Northern Times (27.10.17) 'I personally have zero input into the planning decision ... and take no part in the ultimate decision.'
The Councillors' Code of Conduct: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/Doc/334603/0109379.pdf …
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-41845278
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/nov/08/trump-golf-course-has-ruined-dunes-habitat
The communities of Dornoch & Embo are divided over the proposed golf course & some community group leaders are undemocratically speaking for the entire community that they are meant to represent.
Since the bulk of Loch Fleet SSSI is tidal estuary, mudflats and saltmarsh, where Bandon Dunes Golf Resort or Coul Links Ltd did not consider development, and there is a large area of native Scots pine woodland (in different ownership), any 1.8% [1.1%] proportion of SSSI argument is unreasonable, taking into account the extent of DUNE HABITATS AFFECTED inside and outside the newly proposed 40 acres of lawn.
Andrew Weston
Ecological Surveyor
SEPARATE GOLF COURSE RESERVOIR PLANNING APPLICATION:
http://wam.highland.gov.uk/wam/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=OWKTCLIHG4S00
NB The earlier separate application appears like a case of the cart before the horse and based on a presumption of golf course development approval and perhaps even a second golf course outside the SSSI. The reservoir would influence the hydrology and ecology of the SSSI, so why was it not included with the main planning application for the golf course? This separation appears to be against Environmental Impact Assessment rules.
Andrew Weston
https://www.birdguides.com/news/golf-course-threat-to-rare-coastal-habitat/
'A parliamentary motion opposing a controversial £8million golf development in Sutherland has been lodged by MSP John Finnie, who claims it would be “catastrophic” for the local environment.'
https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/highlands/1352849/green-msp-opposes-sutherland-golf-plan/
10,000 signatures reached
NB Dr Dargie and Mr Trump parted company when latter ignored ecological advice. Coastal juniper and shoreweed slacks are rare priority habitats, while the species are not rare:
http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/protectedsites/sacselection/habitat.asp?FeatureIntCode=H3110
http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/protectedsites/sacselection/habitat.asp?FeatureIntCode=H2250
How can a golf course enhance diversity and duck the WINTER INUNDATION PROBLEMS? AW
http://www.golfpunkhq.com/news/article/coul-links-planning-is-in-
GOLF COURSE SUPPORT:
https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/highlands/1346852/coulnotcoul/
ASTROTURFING & GREENWASHING:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astroturfing
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenwashing
Exhibitions, to elicit public votes of support, have either paid scant attention to the wildlife, as in the August 2016 displays which relegated a habitat survey to just a tiny cryptic map at Scottie dog eye level, or in October 2017 presented flawed ecology, like exaggerating invasive species to apply leverage to bogus arguments about a net biodiversity gain. The less truth people know the less insensitive the plans appear.
Andrew Weston
PLANNING ANNOUNCEMENT & INFLUENTIAL SUPPORT QUOTED:
http://dpsmconsultants.com/coul-links-announces-planning-submission/
THE EMBO TRUST:
One supporter and investor is the Embo Trust, a charity and trading company, both since March 2017 registered as a limited company, which does not represent all Embo.
The golf course would be at odds with one of its 'PURPOSES' (4.5):
"To advance environmental protection or improvement including preservation and conservation of the natural environment, the promotion of sustainable development, the maintenance, improvement or provision of environmental amenities for the community."
http://www.embotrust.btck.co.uk/MemorandumArticles
One director is an elected councillor, giving scope for multiple CONFLICTS OF INTERESTS between nature conservation, charitable status, business and democracy.
Andrew Weston
PLANNING ANNOUNCEMENT:
http://www.golfadvisor.com/articles/scotland-coul-links-keiser-coore-crenshaw-16561.htm#slide-article-67963
"...Keiser says he wouldn’t have gone this far if he didn’t know every public body, politician and local citizen was solidly behind the project..."
NB This statement is inaccurate.
Andrew Weston
5,000 signatures reached
1,000 signatures reached
500 signatures reached
100 signatures reached
http://www.northern-times.co.uk/News/Mixed-opinion-over-proposed-golf-course-at-Embo-05112015.htm
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/14749787.Dynamic_dunes_a_problem_at_Trump_links/
DEVELOPMENT AIMS:
http://coullinks.com/
"To develop a championship world class links course which reflects the existing landscape, embraces the natural, minimalist approach and benefits the East Sutherland Highlands."
50 signatures reached
PRESS ARCHIVE predating petition:
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/14695482.Trump_Mk_II__now_his_business_rival_plans_golf_course_which_threatens_Scottish_environment/
https://theferret.scot/golf-wildlife-coul-keiser-trump/
http://theworldlink.com/news/south-coast-strong/entrepreneurial-philanthropy-giving-with-purpose/article_085629c2-f968-5ff0-a416-0d1f9e99e92a.html
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/cabot-links-golf-course-expansion-cliffs-inverness-resort-beach-1.3791494
http://www.northern-times.co.uk/News/Target-date-of-2017-for-Embo-golf-course-planning-application-14042016.htm
http://www.northern-times.co.uk/News/New-world-class-golf-course-for-east-Sutherland-29102015.htm
http://fortune.com/2015/09/26/donald-trump-golf-keiser/
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/15/business/15subsidy.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/15/business/15land.html?action=click&contentCollection=Business%20Day&module=RelatedCoverage®ion=Marginalia&pgtype=article
25 signatures reached
10 signatures reached
TM 38 Degrees | 2014
Registered Company No. 6642193
TM 38 Degrees | 2014
Registered Company No. 6642193
Reasons for signing