Links plan defended as it comes under fire

Carnoustie: Former links boss says proposal is ‘fundamentally flawed’

A former Angus Council economic development chief instrumental in the success of the 2007 Open Championship at Carnoustie has stepped into the growing row over multi-million-pound expansion plans for facilities at the links.

The thorny issue will come back on to the local authority agenda at a special meeting of the full council in Forfar after a move led by Carnoustie independent councillor Bill Bowles to suspend council standing orders and allow reconsideration of a decision taken last month which cleared the way for Carnoustie Golf Links Management Committee (CGLMC) to go ahead with £3 million of loan funding for the £4.75m project.

Development of the extension, including new bar and restaurant facilities, has led to criticism that other town businesses will he detrimentally affected, and now former CGLMC director David Valentine has condemned the proposal as “fundamentally flawed”.

The links management has hit back, saying vision and not delay is required to keep Carnoustie an Open venue success.

Mr Valentine has now written to Angus Council chief executive Richard Stiff to raise “serious concerns” over the golf centre extension plan, claiming the development will lead to a deterioration in the fabric of the town centre and threaten businesses and jobs.

“I had made up my mind to remain silent on the subject but I have been outraged at some of the false assertions made in favour of the proposal,” he said.

He is backing the bid launched by Mr Bowles and signed by several opposition councillors to reconsider the loan plan green-light after the Carnoustie member labelled the business case for the project as lacking in transparency.

Mr Valentine added: “It’s my view that the council should utilise its hereditary rights as landlord and custodian of the golf courses to refuse the request so as to engage more deeply with the CGLMC and the town and trade of Carnoustie.

“Hopefully this will allow the community to move forward in a way that does not put the links’ finances at risk.”

CGLMC responded: “CGLMC has produced a full business justification case for this development, prepared by independent experts.

“The extension, as well as bar and restaurant facilities, provides improved offices for Carnoustie Golf Links and improved facilities for golfers to practise with the provision of a number of golf simulator bays.

“It is not true that the timing of the investment is premature and misguided. Anyone who thinks that we do not need to invest in our facilities to retain our place as an Open Championship venue should visit Portrush, Turnberry, Birkdale or Troon to see the massive investment taking place at these venues.

“Without the Open, we lose visitors, in turn we lose income.

“In our view, vision and forward thinking is what is required at this time, rather than prudence and delay.”

“It’s my view that the council should utilise its hereditary rights as landlord and custodian of the golf courses to refuse the request. DAVID VALENTINE