A SCOTTISH golf club is facing a near-£24,000 bill after the discovery of a European protected species on its land.
Following the recent discovery of great crested newts on land that forms Melrose Golf Club, it is necessary to implement a new working plan for green-keeping staff.
Great Crested Newts are a European protected species and the amphibians and their eggs, breeding sites and resting places are protected by law.
The new programme will allow the protected species habitat to be maintained, and the regular works programme associated with the golf courses to continue within the legal restrictions associated with the protected species.
The Melrose club now has to carry out the necessary ecology surveys, preparation of habitat management plans, habitat development works, and the purchase of new more efficient green-keeping machinery to allow staff time to maintain the habitat and the golf course going forward.
When members of Scottish Borders Council’s William Hill Trust Sub-Committee meet this week they will be asked to support the work with a grant of £23,498.
A report to the meeting states: “MGC is requesting support to carry out the necessary ecology surveys, preparation of habitat management plans, habitat development works, and the purchase of new more efficient green-keeping machinery to allow green-keeping staff time to maintain the habitat and the golf course going forward.
“The grant from the William Hill Trust Fund will pave the way for MGC providing the necessary habitat for the protected species of great crested newts, while allowing green-keeping staff the necessary time to continue maintaining the golf course to the appropriate standard to provide its service to the community.
“The discovery of the great crested newts has come about following unauthorised rehousing of the species on the land associated with the golf course.”
Melrose Golf Club is a community sports club run by volunteers which delivers golf for all people from the town and surrounding area.
It currently has 190 registered members.
As well as the golf course, the club also provides its clubhouse as a community space for which fundraisers, private functions, and community meetings can be held.
Community groups which use the clubhouse on a regular basis including the Dingleton Community Group and Melrose Football Club.
