The US billionaire Donald Trump has announced plans to build a new world class golfing centre in Aberdeenshire. The development could bring £150m to the local economy over the next decade, creating 400 jobs. The complex is planned for the Menie Estate, close to the North Sea coast between Balmedie and Ellon. First Minister Jack McConnell welcomed the move, but Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) stressed the local countryside would have to be protected.
The Aberdeenshire Council's infrastructure committee however rejected (on the casting vote of its chairman) the plans by US tycoon Donald Trump. The plan had been earlier approved by local councillors, by seven votes to four, but the infrastructure committee seemed to hit the project into the long grass. However, there appeared to be a public outcry from those who saw the economic benefit of the scheme disappearing to another part of the world.
Now a special meeting of the full Aberdeenshire Council has been called to "reconsider" the decision. The time and place of the meeting have yet to be announced. The Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Forum and the local Chamber of Commerce view the Trump development as a golden opportunity to boost leisure tourism and raise the area's profile around the world. Refusing planning permission was therefore seen by them as a blow to the long-term prosperity of the region. Protesters have claimed that the resort would have a major impact on wildlife and destroy a beautiful part of Scotland. The Trump International Links scheme includes two championship golf courses and 1,500 homes. It is claimed the houses will pay for the development at the 1,400 acre site near Balmedie.
The decision also delighted Michael Forbes, 55, a local resident who refused to sell Mr Trump his 23 acres of land on the edge of the scheme. Mr Trump said on his last visit to Aberdeen that the small farm was an eyesore, and Mr Forbes responded by telling him to "stick his money". He was not at the meeting but his wife Sheila said they were "surprised but happy". Mr Forbes said he was "over the moon" after hearing the result. He added: "Hopefully, Trump has now got the message that we're not a bunch of cabbages up here. "We've managed fine without him up to now and we'll get on just as well without him." To be continued...
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