Debris from golf centre blown across seafront

Calls for contractors to foot the bill for extensive clear-up in Carnoustie

Storm Doris has been blamed for causing an “environmental mess” in the shadow of Carnoustie’s multi-millionpound golf development.

A gust of wind during Thursday’s storm caused polystyrene insulation to be blown from the Ogilvie Construction development where a £3 million golf centre extension is under way.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) received a complaint from resident Peter Black after the material was blown from the golf links and along the seafront as far as the railway station.

Ogilvie workers told Sepa they undertook a litter pick on Thursday when the incident happened but swathes of debris remained strewn along the seafront yesterday.

Mr Black said: “The construction firm has a duty of care to the people of Carnoustie. The place is a mess without even beginning to consider the impact it will have on the environment.”

Councillor Bill Bowles contacted strategic director for communities Alan McKeown to agree a strategy with Ogilvie for a full clear-up.

Mr Bowles said :“It is most disappointing that the polystyrene insulation from the

There should surely have been measures in place to eliminate such an eventuality. COUNCILLOR BILL BOWLES

demolition of the old pro centre has been allowed to make such a mess of our lovely seafront.

“There should surely have been measures in place to eliminate such an eventuality.

“I would think that the company responsible for causing this environmental mess will foot the bill to have every piece of it picked up.

“It’s not a good start to this important contract.”

Planning permission for the golf centre development was officially granted by Angus Council in August.

Construction got under way earlier this month.

The new building will provide a stateof-the-art golf practice and training facility along with a new bar and restaurant overlooking the golf course.

The project, which met local opposition, is due to be completed by December.

A spokesman for Ogilvie Construction said: “The site at Carnoustie Golf Links experienced extremely high winds as storm Doris passed through.

“While digging up flooring as part of the current demolition phase some underfloor insulation was released.

“Work was stopped immediately to contain the material, most of which was caught in the fencing around the site, however we are aware that some of it has blown beyond the site and staff are actively working to get all of it cleared up as a matter of the utmost priority.”

Carnoustie Golf Links declined to comment.

Councillor Bill Bowles picks up a handful of the polystyrene which littered Carnoustie seafront after it had blown off the site of the town’s new golf centre extension.