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Donald Trump: Public inquiry ordered into controversial golf course plans



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TYCOON Donald Trump's plans for a £1 billion golf resort are to go to a public inquiry, it was announced today.
The application for the development in Aberdeenshire was rejected by the local council last year, but was later called in by the Scottish Government.

Scottish finance secretary John Swinney said: "Given the nature of the application and the considerable public interest, it is important that the process to examine the issues is as efficient, transparent and inclusive as possible."

The Trump Organisation described the announcement as a "regrettable setback".

Mr Swinney said he hoped there would be no "unnecessary delay" and pledged to make a decision within 28 days of receiving a report on the issue.

The application includes two championship golf courses and a five-star hotel on the Menie Estate.

The Government has been considering the plans since calling them in on December 4 last year.

"This application raises issues of importance that require consideration at a national level," Mr Swinney said today.

"I have now been able to evaluate fully the options open to us to ensure that ministers can give proper consideration to this major and controversial application.

"Given the nature of the application and the considerable public interest, it is important that the process to examine the issues is as efficient, transparent and inclusive as possible.

"For those reasons I have determined that there should be a public local inquiry, under the stewardship of a very experienced reporter."

Trump spokesman George Sorial insisted the mogul would not be pulling out.

He said: "Today's announcement is obviously disappointing for the Trump Organisation and Donald Trump has carefully deliberated over the next steps.

"He is not a quitter and he has decided that, given the exceptional level of positive feedback and overwhelming support he has received from the people of Scotland, he will continue to work with everyone involved to turn his plans into reality."

The group's major concern was over the time the inquiry would take, Mr Sorial continued.

"We need to know how much longer we will have to wait," he said.

"We have already committed significant investment to this project and with each passing day we are losing money.

"We would urge the government or the reporter to provide us with some concrete procedure and timescales as a matter of urgency."

He added: "This is a regrettable setback but we are not going to give up before the finishing line when the prize for Scotland is so important.

"Mr Trump wants to build something that Scotland and the Trump Organisation can be fiercely proud of for generations."

The full article contains 444 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 28 February 2008 5:13 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Donald Trump
 
1

Methalions,

28/02/2008 16:44:27
Good decision.
2

,

28/02/2008 16:47:56
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
3

Rulesbutnotrulers,

Federation, not separation 28/02/2008 17:25:12
All housing scams require checking out.
4

VC Horseguy,

USA 28/02/2008 17:25:24
PLEASE don't let Trump bribe and but his way into Scotland. All he cares for is his ego, and the really bad comb-over hair. If you let him in he won't stop. He is one of those developers that believes the only thing nature is for is to develop it for big dollars. Whatever he develops will only be accessable to a very small, very wealthy elite, and those who serve them. I'm not a tree hugger or left wing wacko. Trump has three things that when combined make him unfit to be a benefit to society; more money than a single human could spend in a lifetime, more greed than any 10 people combined, and a narcisistic drive that uses everything he has to destroy anything in the path of his dreams. If you have any politicians that want to be a member of that elite set that will be served at his "something that Scotland and the Trump Organisation can be fiercely proud of for generations" you will be worse off than those who have been fortunate to be employed by this modern day empire builder and slave trader. I implore you again,PLEASE, don't let him into beautiful Scotland.
5

Jimmy the Pie,

28/02/2008 17:25:42
Yet another good day for Alex. Wiped the floor with the usual suspects at FMQ's, abolished the student charges and set up the public enquiry into Trumpland.
Definitely Scotland's #1 statesman by a mile.
6

The Corbetteer,

Borders 28/02/2008 17:31:47
No need for a public inquiry, the plans involve building on an area of special scientific interest, so throw it out, just say no, tell him to go think again!
7

Jock Tamson,

Scotland, Caledonia, Alba 28/02/2008 17:46:52
I really cannot understand the argument from the tree huggers or the Trump haters. The place is already commutersville for a start. If I had the local shop I would be sourcing up-market produce already.



8

danielrober,

28/02/2008 17:52:10
# 4 VC Horseguy,USA

I'm not sure sir if you understand, that the UK is an open economy. These planning problems would of happened if Sir Richard Branson had of made the same planning application. I hope that Trump realises that this is not just about his development, but the UK planning system. I'm sure it will eventually all be worked out and Trump can add his mothers homelandto his long list of profitable developments.

I would also remind him that we are an extremly stable economy and any development of this nature would last centuries. Eventually his own work will be equally protected by the same planning regulations, as an examlpe of American business guts.
9

Nomada,

28/02/2008 17:57:48
#6 - He has already been told to think again, and has refused. This is a guy who is used to doing what he wants - he can't understand that here we have rules to govern planning decisions, and sometimes these rules mean he does not get his way.

In that, he is a bit like JT at #7. Can't understand or won't bother to try?
10

puskas,

East kilbride 28/02/2008 18:14:33
Hopefully the project goes ahead as the vast majority of the North East wish...

My preferance is that it gets the go ahead..

This public enguiry should be very interesting.

John Swinney has done well and whatever comes out during the enquiry may be a wee touch embarrassment for some that are in opposition, whether MSP's and councillors
11

Roberta Burns,

28/02/2008 18:26:52
10# As a resident in the north east, I can tell you that the majority have expressed no such wish.

Certain self-interested individuals and companies have expressed support, but the people of Aberdeenshire have not, although Aberdeenshire Council have.

And, good for AS, a public enquiry should really stir things up, if the self-interested don't take up all the seats.
12

Jimmy the Pie,

28/02/2008 18:33:09
I find it very distasteful when the Trump Organisation keep harping on about time costing money and how the project has to be rushed through. Nobody ever died waiting on a golf course being delayed. "Losing money every day" is another statement that puzzles me. No building work has started so no finance will be required until work starts. Bet the luxury houses are the first part finished though.
13

Hen Mc Stoorie,

Port William 28/02/2008 18:58:35
I work on a links course and you should see the wild life we have.Thousands of nesting birds,adders by the score,seals,raptors.Wish these tree huggers would do some homework before spouting off!
14

Jock Tamson,

Scotland, Caledonia, Alba 28/02/2008 18:59:49
9, Nomada. I have tried to understand tree huggers and Trump haters but to no avail. In this instance the application passed the planning stage but voted down by the infrastructural commitee on the casting vote of a tree hugger.
15

The Corbetteer,

Borders 28/02/2008 19:05:20
7# "I really cannot understand the argument from the tree huggers."

To explain, Scotland is a beutiful and diverse land, areas such as the foveran dunes are thought so rare and so unique that they have been desagnated as an area of Special Scientific Interest. Therefor to build a golf coures on an SSI is wrong, and all the dollars in the world won't make it right. I'm not against Trump or Golf Courses, but against detracting from our magnificent country.
16

dido-bendigo,

Argyll 28/02/2008 19:11:36
Planning regulations require an archaeological survey to be carried out before any development can commence. Some truly astounding sites have been revealed in Scotland when sand-dunes have been blown away in storms. Are the dunes going to be cleared by trained archaeologists and then replaced before any development takes place? Who will own the finds if ancient Scottish treasures are revealed? It will be more eco friendly and cheaper to let the wind do the job over the next millenium! Don't worry about losing out to Ireland, have you seen their rainfall figures!
17

Nikostratos,

28/02/2008 19:12:30
a public inquiry is the right way to go..........


#5 Jimmy the Pie,

your sycophancy is a little bit icky.....bootlicky.......

You want to support Alex.....fine but be a 'MAN'.........only children have heroes.
18

Jimmy the Pie,

28/02/2008 19:36:47
#17 Nico

I take it you don't watch FMQ's. You should!

Good to see your spelling is improving!
19

AJM,

28/02/2008 19:39:50
What makes me laugh is Swinney saying he wants no delays, he called it in because it was urgent. Now what is some 87 days later he says he will make a decision in 28 days of receiving the report.

And those saying what a good day for the FM, they will be the same ones shouting that this decision has nothing to do with the FM, when he met Trumpy.
20

Nikostratos,

28/02/2008 19:41:05
#20 Jimmy the Pie


FMQs watching is a wee bit anoraky.........but I'll have a peek(.)(.)
21

Mallory,

Edinburgh 28/02/2008 19:43:31
Now lets use this precedent to ensure that a proper inquiry and debate is held over the dreadful Caltongate plans. Given the state of the economy over the coming year a delay might prove to be a blessing in disguise.

While we are at it could we also have a public inquiry into the sale of Common Good property throughout Scotland?
22

Sam,

Washington, DC 28/02/2008 20:14:46
For those of you who do not know how real estate development works, allow me to provide some light. A person with a track record of profitable projects (Mr. Trump) assembles a group of investors and forms a limited partnership. These people come to Trump because he can make them money. Now if the project becomes tangled up in government and is faced with unlimited delays, the anticipated profit will be eaten up by the cost of the money. Calculate, if you dare, what the daily interest is on $50,000,000. If the project cannot recover that cost, the project fails. And it will be a hard lesson long remembered by those who would invest in Scotland's future. Trun's mother was a Glaswegian. Be thankful he has turned his attention to the land of his ancestors.
23

Roberta Burns,

28/02/2008 20:23:45
18 clarry, Perhaps you could tell me when the electorate of Aberdeenshire were consulted on the trump development. It appears that I missed it.

24

Queen D,

Glasgow 28/02/2008 20:24:10
I still want to know the result of Nicol (the Nose)Stephens enquiry.
Anyone heard anything?
25

Nomada,

28/02/2008 20:30:53
Clarry #19. I see you are as detached from reality now as you were the last time we 'conversed'. The application site overlaps the S end of the SSSI, and the planned work would destroy the scientific interest for which it is designated - the mobile dune system, not the terns and mythical 'Little Eider' ducks that you once told us about. Even Trump and Sorial know and accept that. Either you have not done your homework, or you are being deliberately misleading. Which is it?
26

weh,

28/02/2008 20:39:43
Credit to the SNP government again..

"Access to university should be based on ability to learn, not ability to pay"

Fiona Hyslop
Education Secretary

Labour and the Conservatives MSP's voted against abolition, arguing that the £17m cost could be better spent.

Well I hope the students remember Labour and the Tories come polling day !

Also, I wonder how this will go down in the land of Apathy ? More moaning on English newspaper forums I presume..
27

scotinbc,

interior bc canada 28/02/2008 20:44:45
1 Billion pounds being spent. Houses being built. Taxes generated from all kinds of things. Local businesses supplying all sorts of services. Only a numpty would say no to such a deal for an area. There is NO downside. It is all win win. Don't know why it should not have been rubberstamped. I am in Scotland almost every year. Aberdeen area is a cold cold place to be. They should count there blessings that Donald Trumps organisation wants to make a buck there. Good wishes to them.
28

Roberta Burns,

28/02/2008 21:05:28
29 clarry
1. Neither the P&J nor Evening Express could handle 'thousands' of letters.
2. You don't say where you got your information on the 'thousands' of complainants. Wouldn't be the hootsmon, now, would it?
3. The loudest voices are always those with the clout. Aberdeenshire Council voted against the development. It the whole council had been in agreement there would have been no need for a casting vote.
4. And, are you someone who supports it because you think you'll ever be able to afford to stay and play on this exclusive golfing development? Dream on.
5. As for jobs, the rest of Scotland needs jobs a lot more than Aberdeenshire - even the miserable minimum wage jobs that this would provide - grass-cutters, hotel maids, cooks, cleaners - all waiting on their betters.
29

Kitti Kat,

Newtown Square 28/02/2008 22:14:36
Number 2 is so right! I sincerely hope that people in Scotland will protest this plan and send Trump and his
cronies packing. The average person living there will not be able to afford his place and you will wind up being priced out of any houses you or your children would like to purchase. This has happened over here and if the regular working people don't scream, it will ruin your area. We in the US know, so trust us. Instead of protesters at Westminster, they should be up in Aberdeen and any other place that these over rich Yanks want to ruin. God help you.
30

Liberal for life,

Dunblane 28/02/2008 22:20:58
#26 QueenB- As I recall Nicol Stephen got slagged off for saying he thought the call in would lead to further delays - Salmond and Swinney should have awaited the changes to the standing orders of Aberdeenshire Council's planning committee regulations, DT should then have appealed the initial rejection (as most reasonable people given the correct advice would have)and the matter would have been sorted out by now. Instead we have the trumpeters in the SNP cavalry causing a furore because of political crassness that has created a subsequent greater delay that only Nicol Stephen forecast. So give credit where credit is due for once in your life ?
31

McGinty,

29/02/2008 00:17:01
In this instance, don't care what mistakes have been made - as long as Trump is sent on his way.
32

jerrymanders,

Trumptown nomore. 29/02/2008 00:35:32
Can the ordinary man build on a SSSI? No. Will the ordinary man be able to play on these golf courses? No. Will the ordinary man be able to afford one of these luxury homes? No.

BTW, who the heck would want to buy a holiday home at Balmedie? It is perishing at the best of times. Wait for the winter. It's worse.
33

Nomada,

29/02/2008 07:52:15
Clarry #32. This is not so much for you (you seem incapable of acknowledging the simplest fact), but for those who want the truth of the matter.

Here is an extract from the Formartine Area Committee Report – 18 September 2007, Reference No: F/APP/2006/4605 Outline Planning Permission for Golf Course and Resort Development at Land at Menie House, Balmedie, Aberdeen Applicant: Trump International Golf Links Scotland, Menie Park.

Para 2.7
'The most significant environmental designation at the site is the Foveran Links SSSI in the northern third of the site, a significant proportion of which also lies outwith the application site boundary to the north'.

QED.
34

Aged P,

Aberdeen 29/02/2008 07:58:03
Nomada #32. Would that would be the same area committee that approved the development?
35

Aged P,

Aberdeen 29/02/2008 07:58:30
Nomada #32. Would that would be the same area committee that approved the development?
36

Aged P,

Aberdeenshire 29/02/2008 08:24:27
Ok, i think I can work this thing now!
Clarry, although I am 100% in favour of this, the golf course IS going to overlap the SSSI.
Much like the front 9 holes of Newburgh on Ythan golf course, which I can tell you from many years experience has wonderful wildlife.
Nomada and others worried about the dune system.
Again, head oout to Newburgh and have a look at the course there. Tha fairways do not reach down to the sea side. There are still unplanted dunes moving in the wind. Yes, some are stabilised, but there is still some freedom for the sands to shift.
Roberta Burns has a number of points, none of them very liberal. It is fairly obvious to anyone in the area that the majority are in favour of the development.
We don't expect to ba able to afford to play on the course. But then I can't afford to eat out at many restaaurants in Aberdeen. Is that any reason not to allow them?
And as for the jobs on offer, I think you will find that these are callled service industries, and the vast majaority of us work in them quite happily. I think there may be a wee chip on that shoulder re the "betters" mention.
Although the public inquiry will cause a further delay at least it will give supporters the chance to air our views, without the so called frenzied local media.
P&J 7 EE in a frenzy. I don't think so.
37

JR Ewing,

Aberdeen 29/02/2008 08:27:15
Nomada
Back to the usual misinformation about the SSSI

Lets sort out some facts. The course is not being built on Foveran Links but Menie Links. Menie Links do not even get a mention in the SSSI citation

http://gateway.snh.gov.uk/portal/page?_pageid=53,910305,
53_922284&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&PA_CODE=659
&NEW_WINDOW=false

I now notice you have given up on the adders tongue and moved to the Embryonic shifting dunes. They have nothing whatsoever to do do with Menie Links nor Foveran Links when it comes to that. If you know anything about the area try walking further north and you will find them

http://www.jncc.gov.uk/protectedsites/SACselection/
habitat.asp?FeatureIntCode=H2110

Lets see some evidence to contradict the above sources
38

Nomada,

29/02/2008 10:54:44
Clarry - you are a lost cause, along with JR and others. At 44 you ask who wrote the report. It was Aberdeenshire Council Officials.

At 48 you write ' What I question is the SSSI at that area'. You might as well question the existence of sliced bread. There *is* an SSSI there. Full stop.

At 45 you talk about me 'cosseted in you public service job'. You are mixing me up with someone else. Another worrying detachment from the real world.
39

Resolutions,

29/02/2008 12:06:21
#Clarry

Some of these posts attacking people who are making goood points is actually rather offensive.

Could you please quantify the benefits you see to the area for this development?

You and others exaggerate a lot - the P and J is not over-run with letters. If I recollect correctly, there was one day when two pages were given over to that ,interspersed with articles'. Their 'normal' quota of letters is about half a dozen daily! You and others are hyping this up and cannot stand back and think rationally.

I ask you again and the others, can you quantify the benefits to the area, a development of this sort would bring?

Hopefully, the public enquiry, where people will be forced to think through their contributions and present them rationally, can clarify this for once and for all
40

JonO B,

Lancashire 03/03/2008 20:33:14
Dear Sir
I have been following the debate around the planning application from Donald Trump's golf project. I believe this a classic case of where if you have enough financial muscle you can bully your way through any planning committee. I think the Scottish people should consider what kind of employer he might turn out to be. At best it will be jobs on the minimum wage and a hire and fire regime. Here's an interesting clip that may give a clue to this guy's approach:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGZaCnfNgLE

I would like to know if there is a formal pressure group against this golf plan. If so we should all join and protect the interest of the Scottish people. It is admirable that Michael Forbes is standing firm - I believe the whole of the UK is behind him. I would like to think that if he ever does sell that he sells to a National Trust or another non-corruptable organisation.
Maybe the Scotman would publish some information on any of the above support/action groups.

Sincerely
Jon B, Lancashire, England
41

Andrew BOD,

Aberdeen/shire 03/03/2008 20:56:06
JonO B
"I believe the whole of the UK is behind him".(Michael Forbes)

I don't think you've really been following the debate. 80% of people in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire are for the development and Michael Forbes has been caricatured locally as a joke, or as a bit of light entertainment.

You see, all of the pressure groups against the development are reactionary environmentalists, and if you know the land in question, you'll figure out that it is a shooting estate where only last week they were blasting the geese out of the sky. The same geese that will apparently be endangered (I believe protected,) by the said development.

So you see, the interest of the Scottish people, as you put it, would be best served by pressure groups FOR the development.



42

Andrew BOD,

Aberdeen/shire 03/03/2008 20:59:01
Resolutions said:
"Hopefully, the public enquiry, where people will be forced to think through their contributions and present them rationally, can clarify this for once and for all"

And by god, we will.
43

overton,

balmedie 05/03/2008 06:49:33
53 Andrew BOD,

Geese were shot (big time) on Menie in January - the shooting season ends 1st Feb.

Interesting to note that all the vocal minority of protesters against the proposed development have ignored the potential benefits to the Region or brushed over them and instead concentrate on vitriolic personal attacks on the owner of Menie Estate,
Mr Trump.

 

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