RESIDENTS have been asked for their views to help tackle coastal erosion at a world-famous golf course.

A meeting took place last Wednesday, organised by North Berwick Golf Club and Tantallon Golf Club, to discuss their plans to prevent further coastal erosion at the town’s iconic West Links.

Representatives from EnviroCentre, the project’s consultants, were also at the meeting to answer questions.

A total of 26 people attended the consultation at the community centre.

They were invited to complete a questionnaire and their comments will be analysed and included as part of a planning application that will be submitted to East Lothian Council.

The proposed development would see “soft engineered” coastal defences put in place to protect the coastline.

This includes utilising a varied number and style of gabion baskets and mattresses filled with sand and Marram grass, while boulders would be put in beside the second fairway, as has been done previously.

Chris Spencer, managing secretary at North Berwick Golf Club, told the Courier: “It was vitally important to get the views of the local community for this project.

“The West Links is not only a world-class golf course but the residents also use the land to cross to the beach and to exercise on. It is important it is maintained.

“More than two years of work has gone into getting the project to the stage where we have made a planning application.”

Members of the town’s community council, who have previously given their backing to the plans, attended the meeting, and were pleased to see something being done about the problem.

A spokeswoman told the Courier: “A number of community councillors attended.

“We were pleased with this presentation and the proposed engineered solution to a real threat to the golf course.

“Those that attended found it to be very informative and we are reassured that the situation is being addressed.”

Club officials hope work will begin, for about eight weeks, in October.