Common good consultation begins for Royal Dornoch Golf Club

17th December 2020

The Highland Council is today (17 December 2020) launching a Common Good consultation giving the Dornoch community until 12 March 2021 to respond to a proposal to dispose, by new lease, of an area of Common Good land to Royal Dornoch Golf Club (RDGC) who are the existing tenants.

Also included are proposed changes of use in respect of part of the current golf course for construction of a new clubhouse and for improving access, moving the Bowling club and improved car parking.

A previous consultation in respect of this matter had been commenced in January 2020 but it was necessary to withdraw it after a review following a challenge that some of the terminology might have been misleading. Further negotiations have taken place and a fresh consultation has now been launched.

Since the granting of the initial lease to RDGC in 1973 the actual area leased has changed due to areas surrendered and additional areas leased. RDGC now wish to construct a larger and more up to date clubhouse facility. As a result, it is considered sensible to review the position as a whole. The purpose of the proposal would allow for the complete lease area footprint to be contained within a single modern 99 year lease which would also include the new agreed rent figure together with a provision for regular 5 yearly rent reviews as well as taking into account the proposals for a new clubhouse, access and parking.

The Council is keen to hear the community's views on the proposal and all submissions will be given full regard before a decision on whether to proceed is made. All consultation representations, responses and any final decision will be published on the Council website.

The consultation will run for longer than the usual statutory 8 weeks because of the proximity to the festive period and current Covid restrictions, therefore closing on 12 March 2021. The full consultation document is called Royal Dornoch Golf Club consultation document (number 2) and is available on our website. In terms of the process, please refer to the guidance available.

https://www.highland.gov.uk/downloads/file/23181/royal_dornoch_golf_club_consultation_document_number_2

https://www.highland.gov.uk/downloads/file/20138/process_for_disposal_or_change_of_use_of_property

Please submit written responses either by email to common.good@highland.gov.uk or by post to Sara Murdoch, The Highland Council HQ, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, IV3 5NX.