Latest news with #Eowyn
Scotsman
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Edinburgh golf club faces backlash over plans for a giant net locals say will block views of the Forth
An Edinburgh golf club is facing the wrath of local residents over plans for a giant net locals say will block views of the Forth. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society, in Barnton, is set to put up a 'golfing pod' – a cube of netting about 20 metres wide, 30 metres long and 17 metres tall – around the society's practice area. Society CEO Michael Braidwood says it is meant to replace smaller-scale netting knocked down during Storm Eowyn, and help prevent balls from entering the local community. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But pensioner Kenneth Sanderson, who lives in a terraced house overlooking the practice area, sees it as a damaging step for the club to take. When he first moved in 20 years ago, he had an unobstructed view down to the Forth, but the club has added structures adjacent to its carpark below his house, including a shelter that can hold two golfers holding the practice area. The view of the Forth could be obstructed by a new cube of netting | Joe Sullivan He said: 'I've sacrificed half my view to keep two golfers dry, and now the club wants the rest of it. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We are a group of residents overlooking the course. We have a magnificent view over the course down to the river. 'We know we have no right to a view under Scots law. We have to get that out of the way. The club, however, want to put up an enclosed golf pod which measures 20 metres by 30 metres by 17 metres high. 'It is just the last indignity of a whole series of things. We have asked them to tweak the plans by reorientating the pod or re-siting the nets, putting them at a right angle to [our view]. 'They are steadfastly not listening to us.' In a meeting in Mr Sanderson's house, both he and Mr Braidwood sat for an interview at a kitchen table which has expansive views over the Forth. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Sanderson, who is himself a member of the club, said that the group of residents had put forward an offer of a 'middling five-figure sum' to induce them to move the pod to a less impactful position. He also said the club should be concerned about the visible impact of the golf pod at its proposed location, due to the impact on the view to the Forth from the club's carpark. The total cost of the golf pod is about £120,000, versus the £80k cost of replacing the fence. The pod would have systems that automatically drop the netting in high winds to prevent the kind of damage seen during Eowyn. Mr Braidwood said siting the pod at the site of the current practice range, next to the club's carpark, is a matter of convenience, adding that members might not be willing to walk 100 metres to use the facility. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But Mr Sanderson replied: 'They've gone for convenience, and they have not taken account of their magnificent view. Do you know any other golf courses with a view like that?' Mr Braidwood said he knew of other golf courses with nice views from their car parks, including one at Loch Lomond. He also added that some of the visual clutter that currently exists in Mr Sanderson's view of the Forth, including a portion of the old netting still in place, would be torn down when the pod was finished. It is understood that the golf club is set to apply for planning permission to build the pod early next week, and that several locals are planning to object to it. At the end of the interview, Mr Braidwood said he would bring the group's concerns to the club's directors, and recommend that submission of the planning application be paused.
Edinburgh Reporter
17 hours ago
- General
- Edinburgh Reporter
Edinburgh golf club faces the wrath of local residents
An Edinburgh golf club is facing the wrath of local residents over plans for a giant net locals say will block views of the Forth. Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society, in Barnton, is set to put up a 'golfing pod' – a cube of netting about 20 metres wide, 30 metres long and 17 metres tall – around the society's practice area. Society CEO Michael Braidwood says it is meant to replace smaller-scale netting knocked down during Storm Eowyn, and help prevent balls from entering the local community. But pensioner Kenneth Sanderson, who lives in a terraced house overlooking the practice area, sees it as a damaging step for the club to take. When he first moved in 20 years ago, he had an unobstructed view down to the Forth, but the club has added structures adjacent to its carpark below his house, including a shelter that can hold two golfers holding the practice area. He said: 'I've sacrificed half my view to keep two golfers dry, and now the club wants the rest of it. 'We are a group of residents overlooking the course. We have a magnificent view over the course down to the river. 'We know we have no right to a view under Scots law. We have to get that out of the way. The club, however, want to put up an enclosed golf pod which measures 20 metres by 30 metres by 17 metres high. 'It is just the last indignity of a whole series of things. We have asked them to tweak the plans by reorientating the pod or re-siting the nets, putting them at a right angle to [our view]. 'They are steadfastly not listening to us.' In a meeting in Mr Sanderson's house, both he and Mr Braidwood sat for an interview at a kitchen table which has expansive views over the Forth. Mr Sanderson, who is himself a member of the club, said that the group of residents had put forward an offer of a 'middling five-figure sum' to induce them to move the pod to a less impactful position. He also said the club should be concerned about the visible impact of the golf pod at its proposed location, due to the impact on the view to the Forth from the club's carpark. The total cost of the golf pod is about £120,000, versus the £80k cost of replacing the fence. The pod would have systems that automatically drop the netting in high winds to prevent the kind of damage seen during Eowyn. Mr Braidwood said siting the pod at the site of the current practice range, next to the club's carpark, is a matter of convenience, adding that members might not be willing to walk 100 metres to use the facility. But Mr Sanderson replied: 'They've gone for convenience, and they have not taken account of their magnificent view. Do you know any other golf courses with a view like that?' Mr Braidwood said he knew of other golf courses with nice views from their car parks, including one at Loch Lomond. He also added that some of the visual clutter that currently exists in Mr Sanderson's view of the Forth, including a portion of the old netting still in place, would be torn down when the pod was finished. It is understood that the golf club is set to apply for planning permission to build the pod early next week, and that several locals are planning to object to it. At the end of the interview, Mr Braidwood said he would bring the group's concerns to the club's directors, and recommend that submission of the planning application be paused. By Joseph Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
‘Concerns' raised over future of Tollymore Outdoor Centre as facility closes doors for ‘strategic review'
The centre will remain closed for the foreseeable as Sport NI carries out a 'strategic review' on the body's overall role in the outdoors sector. The review of the centre will 'explore all options for the future operating model of the centre'. Early work is already underway, involving engagement and consultation with key outdoor organisations and other stakeholders. This is expected to take up to a year to complete and staff redundancies will also take place as a result. The state-of-the-art facility is the only one of its kind on the island of Ireland and first opened in 2010. Sport NI confirmed that the centre has been closed for over six months since its forest trails, trees and outdoor facilities were seriously damaged by Storm Eowyn in January. In a statement they said 'significant expenditure' would be required to 'safely re-open the facility.' 'However, it has become increasingly unsustainable financially in recent years,' a spokesperson continued. 'TNOC will remain closed while the Strategic Review is completed. 'The Review will explore all options for the future operating model of the Centre. 'In the meantime, the move will result in a small number of local redundancies.' Interim Chief Executive of Sport NI, Richard Archibald said that in recent years, the running costs of the Tollymore National Outdoor Centre have 'steadily increased' and its income has reduced. 'In the last financial year, it cost over £1.3million to run, versus an income of around £250,000,' he said, adding that the current operating model is 'no longer financially sustainable.' 'While the Centre was never intended to be profit-making, we have a duty to ensure value for money for the public purse and for the whole sports sector,' he said. 'The enforced pause in bookings resulting from the extensive storm damage provided a window for a detailed Strategic Review of the Centre. 'The initial part of this Review – a health and safety audit – has concluded that the Centre could not reopen without major investment. We cannot justify such investment when the facility is significantly under-utilised.' He explained that the extended closure of up to a year to conduct the review means that redundancy consultations have already commenced with some of the centre's permanent staff. 'Sport NI remains fully committed to the outdoors sector,' he continued. 'The Tollymore Centre has facilities which are unique on the island of Ireland, and it is an important part of Northern Ireland's outdoor activity offering.' South Down MLA Colin McGrath said he is 'seriously concerned' about the future of the centre. The SDLP politician said: 'The news that redundancy consultation is beginning with some staff does not inspire confidence that Sport NI intend to reopen the centre and my thoughts are with those affected. 'I understand the damage caused by recent storms has complicated matters and necessitated a temporary closure and I've been pushing Sport NI for clarity on reopening for some time. 'While I acknowledge the significant running costs involved, Sport NI themselves have accepted that the centre was never designed to be profit-making, but rather a vital public resource used by a wide range of groups. 'Tollymore is the only facility of its kind on this island. 'Its closure would be a major loss to the Newcastle area, not just for the local economy, but for the many individuals and organisations who rely on it.'
The Herald Scotland
18-07-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Scottish garden that came back to life after Storm Eowyn devastation
Such a happy occasion would have been unthinkable just six months ago when Storm Eowyn hit the west coast of Scotland with such ferocity that it brought much of the country to a standstill and, in some places, changing the familiar appearance of the landscape. Sitting at the southern end of Gigha, at the bottom of the Inner Hebrides, Achamore stood directly in Eowyn's path and by the time the winds finally died down, almost 500 trees across the garden's 52 acres had been ripped from the ground. The shelter belt, which had protected this part of Gigha since the garden was first planted in 1944 by Colonel Sir James Horlick, had been devastated. Twenty four fallen trees blocked the short path from the car park to the main gate and a line of 150-year-old beech trees had been scattered in all directions as if caught up in a vortex. This couldn't have come at a worse time for Achamore, which had just been regaining its stature as one of Scotland's most fascinating gardens after decades during which its owners, the Gigha Island Trust, had been busy with other matters, including upgrading the island's housing stock following a successful community buy-out in the year 2001. However, after the initial shock, head gardener Bryony White launched a 'GoFundMe' page to help to combat the damage and within less than a week her appeal had raised almost £20,000, enough to bring specialist teams and all their equipment over to Gigha from the mainland. Camellias at Achamore (Image: Discover Gardens) The clear-up lasted for months and replanting continues, but Achamore is open once again, allowing visitors to the island to enjoy its collections of rare plants from Asia and the Southern hemisphere. The garden boasts a collection of rare Rhododendrons, including Rhododendron protistum var. giganteum, collected by Frank Kingdon Ward, and Rhododendron arboreum ssp. albotomentosum from Mount Victoria in Myanmar. Plants from Chile and Madeira also flourish here and many of them reach huge dimensions, including the Echiums, which develop giant blue flower spikes that can reach more than six metres in height. These tender species grow on Gigha because of the Gulf Stream and because the island enjoys higher levels of sunshine than other parts of the west coast. This temperate climate is one of the reasons why this small island, just seven miles long by a mile and a half wide, has a history of occupation stretching back to prehistoric times and evidence of this can be found in the standing stones that are dotted around its fields. Achamore Gardens (Image: Achamore Gardens) The Vikings settled here too, naming it 'Gudey' or 'God's Island' and more settlers have arrived since the community buy-out, swelling the population from just 98 to 163. Recently a 20km walking route has been laid out around the island, connecting its important sites, including Achamore, with Ardminish, the island's only village. Details Achamore is open from dawn to dusk 365 days a year. Tickets: £7.50/ £5.00 for children under 16 /£20.00 for a family of four. Entry is paid via cash or contactless card honesty boxes at the visitor entrance. www:// In association with Discover Scottish Gardens
Daily Record
09-07-2025
- Climate
- Daily Record
North Ayrshire Council chiefs deny future of swimming pool is at risk
There have been fears amongst the community over the future of the facility. Rumours that Harvies Swimming Pool may be set to close have been firmly quashed by North Ayrshire Council. Concerns were raised about the future of the facility at a meeting of Irvine Community Council last Wednesday. Auchenharvie centre was badly damaged by Storm Eowyn in January, and the pool remains out of use owing to damage to the roof. Treasurer Jean Walker said: 'There are rumours that the pool is not opening again. Although it is not our remit, a lot of people from Irvine use it." She added that a class at the Portal swimming pool in Irvine on a Monday held 30 people and that all places were taken within 10 seconds of the website opening. Jean added: 'I hear the council stopped maintaining the pumps which suggests to me they are not opening the pool back up again.' Chairman Chris Pless said the council did not have a time line for its restoration yet but would approach KA Leisure for an update. A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: 'We expect to be in a position within the near future to confirm positive news regarding repairs to the roof of Auchenharvie Leisure Centre. 'Following the extensive damage caused by Storm Eowyn, our team has been working behind the scenes to draw up a plan of action which will see the centre brought back into use. 'A contractor has been appointed and as soon as we are able to do so, we will confirm when they are likely to start on-site."
