It appears Coul Links isn't going to happen after all.
The BBC reports the Scottish government has denied the developer's request to build on 32 acres of dunes for the proposed 18-hole Coore-and-Crenshaw design in Embo, near Dornoch. The denial came after counselors in the Highland region approved the development in June 2019, which prompted scrutiny from the national government's ministers.
The government cited the environmental impact on plantlife, birds and the dunes, saying the "likely detriment to natural heritage is not outweighed by the socio-economic benefits of the proposal."
"This proposal does not comply with the relevant provisions of the Highland Wide Local Development Plan, and runs contrary to Scottish Planning Policy's emphasis on protecting natural heritage sites and world class environmental assets," said Planning Minister Kevin Stewart. "The Scottish government has considered the reporter's findings carefully and agree with the recommendation that planning permission should be refused."
The plan included the renovation of several existing buildings and some new structures for the infrastructure to support the course.
