THE Marine Conservation Society has become the fifth environmental organisation to speak out against a US businessman's proposal to build a Trump-like seaside golf course in Scotland.
The plan for the picturesque Coul links in Sutherland has been likened to Donald Trump's controversial coastal golf course in Menie in Aberdeenshire.
The proposal has been opposed by some conservationists and the Scottish Wildlife Trust, RSPB Scotland, Buglife and Plantlife Scotland have already come together to campaign against the plan, writing to the developers urging them to reconsider their plans for Coul Links.
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The plans by Mike Keiser, who has created golf courses in the world, are for a course on the coast north of the Dornoch Firth near the village of Embo.
Calum Duncan, head of conservation Scotland for the Marine Conservation Society, said the ecosystem at the coastal site is fragile and should be protected.
He said: "Scotland is of European importance for sand dune systems and Coul Links is one of few in Scotland and across the UK that remain almost entirely undisturbed.
"We think they should stay that way as befitting a nationally and internationally important site, so that the local community, visitors and rare wildlife can share and enjoy them for generations to come.”
Bruce Wilson, senior policy officer, Scottish Wildlife Trust, said: “A very significant proportion of the undisturbed dune system at Coul Links will be irreversibly damaged if this proposal goes ahead. It is almost inconceivable that we are faced with the loss of such a precious place.
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"Hopefully lessons have been learned from the Scottish Government's approval of Trump International Links in Aberdeenshire, which has been a disaster for another nationally important sand dune system."
A spokesman for developers’ agent, the property company JLL, said earlier that the plans are at a formative stage and full consultation under way with "extensive dialogue with Highland Council, Scottish Natural Heritage and other statutory consultees for a considerable period to agree the scope and requirements of numerous environmental studies which will be used to inform the development of the proposals and to undertake an environmental impact assessment".
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