The Scottish Greens have called upon Ministers to block plans to build a new 18-hole golf course near Embo in Sutherland.

Earlier this week, Highland Councillors granted planning permission for the Coul Links golf course to be developed on the environmentally-sensitive Coul Links dune system, despite planning officials recommending refusal.

Organisations including RSPB Scotland and the Scottish Wildlife Trust objected to the project.

Highlands & Islands Green MSP, John Finnie, has now urged Scottish Ministers to "step in to ensure we do not allow another golf course in the wrong place".

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"This is a disappointing but unsurprising decision by councillors who are too easily swayed by flimsy promises of jobs, regardless of the cost to an irreplaceable wild landscape and the nature and tourism that it supports," he said.

"Coul Links is internationally important, and the proposal by American businessmen is reminiscent of the false promises from one Donald Trump in Aberdeenshire.

"I have repeatedly raised this issue in parliament, including with the First Minister. Many local people will be disappointed to see councillors effectively doing the developers' bidding, and I urge Scottish Ministers to step in to ensure we do not allow another golf course in the wrong place."

However, developer Todd Warnock welcomed the decision and encouraged opponents of the golf course to "work with us to make the project a huge success".

"The evidence is compelling that Coul Links will improve the site ecologically, particularly with regard to bird life, and we will continue to strive to ensure the development progresses with environmental integrity at its heart," he said.

(LM)