- The future of Coul Links, which includes nationally and internationally important sites for nature, is set to be decided by Ministers following a public inquiry into the planning application that would see the area irreparably damaged to make way for a golf course.
- A coalition of conservation organisations is encouraging people to contact politicians at Holyrood to support the call for the refusal of the golf course development.
- Coul Links is an amazing, beautiful coastal landscape, home to a complex and diverse mix of plants and animals, some of which are very rare. The protection of Coul Links is vital to Scotland’s efforts to protect nature and the important habitats that species need to thrive.
With the future of Coul Links set to be decided by Scottish Ministers, a coalition of conservation organisations is calling on the public to come together and urge politicians to ensure protected sites in Scotland remain protected from damaging developments.
Coul Links is a unique and beautiful, windswept place on the East Sutherland coast. The amazing natural landscape of rolling sand dunes is home to many plants and animals, some of which are very rare. The site is also home to a globally endangered insect, the Fonseca’s Seed Fly (Botanophila fonsecai), and is part of three legally protected nature sites: a nationally important Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), an internationally important Special Protection Area (SPA) for birds, and a Ramsar site which is an internationally important wetland.
Despite the area being designated as important for wildlife and nature, a controversial plan to transform the area into a golf course is again before Scottish Government Ministers. Having refused a very similar proposal in 2020, Ministers at Holyrood are considering the recommendations made by Government officials after a public inquiry. They will now make the decision that will determine the fate of the area.
A Conservation Coalition of Buglife, Butterfly Conservation Scotland, Marine Conservation Society, National Trust for Scotland, Plantlife Scotland, RSPB Scotland and Scottish Wildlife Trust is opposing the damaging proposals at Coul Links.
The latest application for an 18-hole golf course was submitted in 2023. Despite objections from hundreds of people, conservation organisations and the Government’s own advisors at NatureScot, the Highland Council’s planning committee narrowly voted against the recommendation of their own planning officers to approve the application. Following this, thousands of people called on Scottish Ministers to ‘call-in’ the application, leading to a public inquiry, ahead of a Ministerial decision.
The threat to this precious sand dune habitat is happening against the backdrop of the nature and climate emergency. According to the most recent State of Nature report, Scotland’s wildlife is under threat with 43% of species in decline, and one in nine at risk of national extinction. The Scottish Government has pledged on the international stage to protect at least 30% of Scotland’s land and sea for nature by 2030 and is committed to restoring and regenerating nature by 2045. Planning decisions need to support wider policies and commitments for people, climate and nature.
Craig Macadam, Co-Leader and Director of Conservation for Buglife said: “If this development goes ahead, it will have far-reaching and devasting impacts on the important invertebrate communities of Coul Links. We fought for Coul Links before and with help from the public, we won. Please stand with us again to protect this special wildlife haven.”
Dan Hoare, Director of Nature Recovery at Butterfly Conservation, said: “Coul Links is home to a diverse assemblage of butterflies and moths, including several rare and threatened species such as the Northern Brown Argus, Portland Moth and the extremely rare Northern Groundling. The development of a golf course will spell disaster for these specialist species that rely on these unique dunes as their home.”
Stuart Brooks, Director of Conservation and Policy at National Trust for Scotland said: “We want everyone in Scotland to continue to be able to access and enjoy this beautiful, wild landscape and we ask that the Scottish Government protects Coul Links from this damaging development”
Alistair Whyte, Head of Plantlife Scotland, said: “Once again, it is time for Scottish Ministers to demonstrate that legally-protected wildlife sites are just that – places which are sanctuaries for wildlife in a world which is increasingly pushing habitats and species to the brink of extinction. The fact that three legal designations have been put in place to safeguard Coul Links shows how special a place it is. Now, more than ever, we must send the message that Scotland cares for its wild places. It is time for the Scottish Government to do the right thing and turn down this planning application.”
Anne McCall, RSPB Scotland Director, said: “The wildlife we love is being pushed to the brink and for species to recover we need to protect the places that are most important for nature. Time and again people in Scotland and beyond have stood up for nature, joining us in calling for Coul Links to be saved from damaging development. As Ministers consider their decision, we are once again asking people to join us in saying this unique and protected site is not the right place for a golf course.”
Jo Pike, Chief Executive of the Scottish Wildlife Trust, said: “We depend on nature in almost every aspect of our lives, and now it’s depending on us at Coul Links. The people of Scotland have already saved this special landscape from damaging developments once before, but we need your help to do it again. By holding the Scottish Government to account on their own ambitions for nature restoration, we can protect Coul Links and help build a nature-positive future.”
To send a message to the Government and support the Conservation Coalition in protecting this unique sand dune habitat and its wildlife please visit: Save Coul Links
Main Image Credit: Coul Links © Buglife