Golf course development - environmental considerations

The development of golf courses can facilitate agricultural diversification and encourage tourism, but can also have a detrimental impact on the environment particularly because of the scale of such development. Golf courses and ancillary development associated with them can have a significant visual impact on the countryside. Poor siting, design and management can lead to loss of valuable landscapes or habitats. Golf courses should be located in harmony with the local landscape and designed to conserve the natural environment. Existing tree cover should be integrated into schemes and where additional planting is proposed preference will be given to native species. In addition attention should be given, where possible, to habitat creation and the management and protection of wildlife networks.