There is controversy afoot in Aberdeenshire currently, with approval being given to the development of an £80m, Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, at the expense of some ancient woodland.

According to local paper The Press & Journal, conservationists The Woodland Trust have called upon the developers to have a "long, hard think" about the consequences of what they are proposing.

Plans for the 18-hole course at the Ury Estate near Stonehaven were approved by Aberdeenshire councillors on a 45-20 vote on 28th April despite concerns about the impact on Slicewells Woods.

As well as the golf course the proposals include a housing development which will see forty-four houses being built in the woods, which are at least 140 years old. This will apparently result in the loss of about 15% of the trees.

Forestry Commission Scotland had recommended the developer, the FM Group, rethink the plans for Slicewells.

Woodland Trust spokesman, Charles Dundas, told the local paper, “There is sadly perhaps a sense of inevitability about this decision, despite both Aberdeenshire Council’s report suggesting the plans be rejected and the clear contradictions with its own local development plan.

“We can now only hope that the council think long and hard about the proposed compensation for the potential loss of 25.5 hectares (63 acres) of ancient woodland, which as we know is irreplaceable.”

The trust launched a petition against the plans to try to save the trees, gathering more than 2,000 signatures.

But Stonehaven and District councillor Graeme Clark has said the woodlands could now be given a new lease of life. He is quoted as saying, "Yes, we can lose 15% of the woodlands, but at the end of the day we’d be left with a world class golf course and 85% of the original woodlands.

“It is a woodland that was not used by anyone, maybe in future it can be used by everyone. That was the way I saw the balance."

It seems though that councillor Clarke's view is clearly not held by everyone. Hort Week quotes Woodland Trust senior campaigner for ancient woodland Oliver Newham as saying, "Those opposed to the application have no right of appeal, so we have taken the one route left open, requesting the Scottish Government's planning minister calls in this application.

"If this doesn't happen then thoughts will turn to compensation, ensuring what is delivered best protects the remaining woodland habitat."

This is a difficult situation to take a judgement on. Obviously if the development is being sensitive to local environmental issues, that's pleasing to hear and pleasing that new jobs will be created within our industry. However, there of course have to be limits to where private enterprise developments can be allowed to infringe on the natural environment which everybody should be allowed to enjoy.

I have a feeling we haven't heard the last of this story.