Kate Forbes is wrong over Coul
Of course, there is no proof of God and academic theories from the past have not helped, distorting the basic system of living put forward by Jesus of Nazareth
I WAS shocked and extremely annoyed to read that Kate Forbes MSP was supporting the proposed golf development on the unique conservation site of Coul Links. In particular, she was insulting the many local protesters by implying that all the opposition was based in the central belt (“Locals ‘wildly in favour’”, March 24).
I know a considerable number of locals have emailed her to express their opposition to the proposed development but interestingly, those of us who live closest to Coul, have received a reply that she cannot reply to their message as they are not her constituents. So we have a situation where Ms Forbes can comment on the development but locals cannot respond to her. As a result, I must use this more public forum to address her.
First, Ms Forbes states that “people opposed to development do not live locally” and that locals are “wildly in favour”. On what does she base these “facts”?
I would be interested in her answer to a number of questions: Has she considered how many of the grossly inflated number of jobs claimed by the developer actually already exist in the service industries in the area?
As an economist, has she assessed how many of the jobs will provide a salary which lets the worker obtain a mortgage? If they cannot, how will they find accommodation in these days of second homes and Airbnb?
Has she talked to the shop and restaurant owners who have found it extremely difficult to find enough staff in the area in recent years, especially since Brexit?
As an economist, has she considered the probable detrimental effect on smaller local golf clubs such as Brora, Golspie and Tain?
Ms Forbes claims that the development is a “necessity”. But as the Inner Moray Firth already has over 60 golf courses, how can one more be “a necessity”? Remember, since the destruction of Menie by a supposed “international standard” but lossmaking golf development there is only one mobile dune system of the importance of Coul Links anywhere in northern Scotland. Will she continue to support its destruction by this unnecessary development?
Despite claiming that she “would always prioritise the views of the Highlanders”, she only appears to have communicated with the company proposing the development which, of course, is backed by an American golfobsessed multi-millionaire and an expensive lobbying company. Now where have we heard that before? To my knowledge, Ms Forbes has done nothing to engage with the substantial number of Highlanders opposed to this development.
David McAllister, Tain.