Great crested newts were found at Melrose Golf Club. The club now needs £24k for a protection plan.
The club needs a new plan to protect the newts and allow golf course work to continue legally. The plan must respect the protected species.
Melrose Club now needs ecology surveys and will create habitat plans. They must also develop the habitat itself. They need new green-keeping machines too.
The machines will help staff and give them time to maintain the habitat and the course. The William Hill Trust Sub-Committee will meet and be asked to give the club money. The grant request is £23,498.
The grant will enable Melrose Club’s work. The club can provide a home for the newts, and staff can still maintain the golf course well. Someone moved the newts there without permission; that is how staff found them on the golf course land.
Melrose Golf Club is run by volunteers and serves the town and surrounding area. They offer golf to everyone. The club has about 190 members.
They also let community groups use the clubhouse, such as Dingleton Community Group and Melrose Football Club. They hold events there such as fundraisers.