Golf Courses (Hansard, 17 February 1989)

§ Mr. Salmond
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the role of (i) the Scottish tourist board, (ii) the Scottish Development Agency, (iii) the Locate in Scotland office and (iv) any other public body in attracting large-scale luxury golf courses and associated developments to Scotland.

§ Mr. Lang
Where such developments further the various objectives of bodies like the Scottish Development Agency and Locate in Scotland, then advice or assistance may be offered to the schemes' promoters.
In 1987, the Scottish tourist board commissioned a report from consultants on the marketing and provision of golfing facilities. The board assesses that golf has the potential to attract more visitors to Scotland but that major investment will be required if Scotland is to compete with rival destinations.

§ Mr. Salmond
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice is available from his Department to local authorities concerning the development of large-scale luxury golf courses and associated developments.

§ Mr. Lang
No specific advice has been given to local authorities on the planning issues arising from such developments. Local authorities are expected to have regard to our general advice on development in the countryside.

§ Mr. Salmond
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has about the number of applications for the development of large-scale luxury golf courses and associated developments; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Lang
I understand that a number of proposals to develop golf courses and associated hotel facilities in locations throughout Scotland have been announced recently. Information on the number of these developments for which planning permission has been or is being sought is not held centrally.

§ Mr. Salmond
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if his Department has any plans to carry out an impact assessment of the development of large-scale luxury golf courses and associated developments on the economies of the areas in which they are situated and on the Scottish economy as a whole.
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§ Mr. Lang
No.
A consultant's report on golfing facilities commissioned by the Scottish tourist board (STB) in 1987 indicated that there could be a considerable and growing market for Scottish golf both at home and abroad. It is already an important asset to Scottish tourism. Information available to STB suggests that visiting golfers contribute at least £6.5 million to Scottish golf courses with golfers participating in organised tours adding a further £5 million.

§ Mr. Salmond
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what public funds have been spent by his Department and public bodies for which he is responsible, in attracting large-scale luxury golf courses and associated developments to Scotland.

§ Mr. Lang
The Scottish tourist board has made a number of small grants to golf clubs towards the improvement of courses and clubhouse facilities.
The Scottish Development Agency and the Cumbernauld development corporation are assisting the development of a hotel and leisure complex, which will be associated with golfing facilities, at Westerwood, Cumbernauld.