Dumbarnie Links back on course for golf development

New plans for 18-hole course after previous investors pulled the plug

An environmentally-sensitive strip of Fife’s coastline could be transformed into another golf course.

Plans are again being teed up to create an 18-hole course at Dumbarnie Links, which contains the largest saltmarsh north of the Firth of Forth.

Four years ago an unknown group of investors intended to transform a 132-hectare section of the links around Largo Bay into a £10 million course but pulled the plug.

A new group of investors is behind a similar scheme on 165 hectares of mostly agricultural land east of Lower Largo in Balcarres Estate.

They claim the course, which would include a clubhouse and be open to the public, would boost tourism and employment and are to present their proposal to local residents before applying for planning consent from Fife Council.

Part of the site is in the protected Firth of Forth Site of Special Scientific Interest. It is also adjacent to the Dumbarnie Links Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve.

Planning consultant Robin Matthews said he was unable to issue a statement on behalf of the applicants at this stage but said they were eager to speak publicly when they begin consulting the surrounding communities next month.

They have lodged a proposal of application notice with the council.

In it their environmental consultant ITPEnergised states: “The developer is committed to using as much local resources as possible and anticipates that, by not including a hotel or other accommodation as part of the development, custom will be directed to local businesses such as hotels and B&B facilities.

“The applicant is aware of the environmental significance and proposes to minimise the impact of the development on the surroundings and provide environmental enhancement where possible by careful design and location of the course and associated facilities and in close liaison with ITPEnergised and others as environmental consultants and advisers.”

Peter Aitken, chairman of Largo Area Community Council, said: “The agents for the developers have asked for an opportunity to make a presentation of their proposed development to the meeting of Largo Area Community Council on October 16 at 7pm in Montrave Hall, Lundin Links.”

Public consultation events will also be held in the Old Manor Hotel, Lundin Links, on October 26 and 30.

The developer is committed tousingas much local resources as possible

Picture: Dougie Nicolson. Part of the site at Dumbarnie Links where the development is proposed.