Council approves Trump’s £1bn golf resort plans

AMERICAN property tycoon Donald Trump was celebrating yesterday after his plans for a £1 billion (€1.38bn) golf resort and complex were approved by councillors.

He has been given the go-ahead to build what he says will be the “greatest golf course in the world” at the Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire.

At a public meeting, Aberdeenshire Council’s Formartine area committee approved the application for Trump International Golf Links, Scotland, by seven votes to four.

The proposed resort includes two champion-ship golf courses, a five-star hotel, a golf academy, nearly 1,000 holiday homes and 500 private houses.

It will be based on a 1,400-acre site near Balmedie in Aberdeenshire.

Speaking from America, Mr Trump described the councillors’ decision as a “tremendous victory”.

“I’m feeling great, very happy,” he added.

“I’m honoured.”

The controversial application was the culmination of four years’ work by the Trump team.

Supporters say it would bring £60 million (€83m) a year to the Scottish economy and create about 6,000 jobs.

However, there was opposition to the resort from environmentalists and some local residents.

This centred on part of it being built on a site of special scientific interest and the effect it would have on sand dunes.

There were also concerns about the need for 500 private houses, which do not form part of Aberdeenshire Council’s local plan.

Geoff Runcie, chief executive of Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the decision.

He said: “The scale of the economic prize resulting from this investment fits well within the region’s economic ambition.”