Plans for Ury golf development approved
Plans for a £80m golf course development in Aberdeenshire have been approved.
FM Group is behind the Ury Estate development, near Stonehaven, backed by American golfer Jack Nicklaus, who won multiple major tournaments.
Aberdeenshire Council approved the plans, which had been backed by the Kincardine and Mearns area committee.
Jack Nicklaus said: "We are delighted. We look forward to creating a great golf course for Ury Estate."
FM Group said it was "thrilled" at the outcome.
Concern had earlier been raised about the loss of ancient woodland if the plans were approved.
Woodland Trust Scotland said the loss of several hectares of woodland, and hundreds of trees, would be one of the largest it had recorded.
FM Group said much of the area was poor quality grassland.
Charles Dundas, of Woodland Trust Scotland, said: "There is sadly perhaps a sense of inevitability about this decision.
"We can now only hope that the council think long and hard about the proposed compensation for the potential loss of 25.5 hectares of ancient woodland, which as we know is irreplaceable."