Loch Lomond gets OK for 2nd course

Loch Lomond gets OK for 2nd course

25th November 2008

Controversial plans by the exclusive & financially troubled Loch Lomond Golf club to build a new 18-hole course have been given the go-ahead.

A planning application by Loch Lomond Golf Club to create a second course near Luss has been approved by the National Park planning committee.

Conservation group Woodland Trust Scotland voiced fears the 18-hole course would destroy ancient woodland habitat.

The organisation claimed it would damage the environment the park authority is supposed to protect.

However, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority said it had ensured the course had been redesigned and refined to fit into this sensitive area.

The process also involved close work with Scottish Natural Heritage, the Scottish Golf Environment Group, Sepa and Forestry Commission Scotland.

Permission was granted subject to a number of conditions and a legal agreement on landscape, woodland, loch shore, bio- diversity, protected species, public access, geology and archaeology issues.

The authority said it negotiated the redesign of holes to utilise clearings and protect the most valuable trees.

But Christina Byrne, of the Woodland Trust, said: "We are very disappointed.

"It is a great natural habitat on the banks of Loch Lomond and it's very disappointing that it's going to be gobbled up by more of the golf course."

Conditions of planning permission also cover areas such as the loch shore, protected species, geology and archaeology.

The planning application follows reports the club was facing a cash crisis.

The 700-member club, which hosts the Scottish Open, has an exclusive membership including Prince Andrew and Sir Sean Connery.

It was reported the club had been put into the hands of a US firm of business recovery specialists amid financial problems. The move came after its Arizona-based owner Lyle Anderson failed to renegotiate debts with the Bank of Scotland.

He is now co-operating with the bank to find new owners for the club.

From: Evening Times