Help Sitemap Home Skip Navigation Contact Us Disability Statement

 
 
Saturday, 22nd November 2008

Premium Article !

Your account has been frozen. For your available options click the below button.

Options

Premium Article !

To read this article in full you must have registered and have a Premium Content Subscription with the The Scotsman site.

Subscribe

Registered Article !

To read this article in full you must be registered with the site.

Sign In
Register

Donald Trump: Tycoon to give evidence at golf inquiry



Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image

Published Date: 30 April 2008
BILLIONAIRE Donald Trump is to give evidence at a public inquiry into his plans for a golf and housing development in Scotland, it was announced today.
The local inquiry was ordered by Scottish ministers after Aberdeenshire Council rejected plans for the £1 billion development at Menie Estate.

The affair blew up into a political storm in Scotland where First Minister Alex Salmond came under opposition attack over his role in the process.

Speaking today from New York, Mr Trump said: "This development is currently a top priority for me and the Trump Organisation.

"The site is very important to me because I just love its natural beauty and because of my connection to Scotland."

He went on: "I respect the need for an inquiry and am totally committed to appearing as I really want to see this development come to fruition. I want the public to hear my plans and share my enthusiasm for them.

"I am confident I will be able to demonstrate my passion for this site on which we want to create a world-class development that works in harmony with the natural environment.

"The inquiry is also a chance to underline the huge benefits our proposals could secure for Scotland.

"I am looking forward to visiting Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire again and meeting some of the many people who have been so supportive of our proposals."

The inquiry will start in Aberdeen on June 10

The full article contains 248 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 30 April 2008 4:17 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Donald Trump
 
1

SlyFifer,

California 30/04/2008 18:48:36
Like him or loath him Donald Trump is a man who gets things done. There is not a long line of investors waiting in the wings to outbid Trump on his proposals. It's him or nothing. The inward investment benifits that this plan would bring would be a great boost the the economy of the area. Developments that maintain a harmony with nature are not difficult to create. This development could greatly increase Scotlands attraction to golfers who travel the world visiting famous courses with Gleneagles being a current favorite.
How sad it would be for the narrow mindedness of the locals and their preducices to sink this wonderful deelopment.
2

Mikko,

Drumnadrochit, Scotland 30/04/2008 19:02:01
Time to be rid of this over rich egit who wants to do nothing more than despoil a large part of the Highlands for his own greed. You want to play golf? Then go somewhere else more bland, like your own little mind.
3

Richard Taylor,

Aberdeen 30/04/2008 19:21:39
The local paper has had a three day report on Trump in the US.

It has strengthened my view that this development not only will be spectacular, it is ESSENTIAL.

Sorry #2 your view is closing Scotland to business. I see you are another who comes form the area. NOT.
4

John Blackley,

Florida 30/04/2008 19:26:12
'Those who sup with the devil must use a long spoon'.

I have no stake in the Donald's plans or in the residents of Aberdeenshire's decision. However, I do have some memory of the Donald's past business deals and I would advise all Scots involved to look past his 'passion' to focus on the small print.

Good luck.
5

Awake,

North Lanarksh!te 30/04/2008 19:44:52
Mr. Trump is an Establishment placeman, nothing more. He's carrying out instructions that are written down for him by his hidden masters and associates. He uses the same funny money that the private banking scam uses. There! That’s that all cleared up. When will the corrupt and fraudulent Labour and Libdem Council individuals be arrested in Aberdeen regarding the dodgy house/land sales?
6

McGinty,

30/04/2008 19:53:21
"I am confident I will be able to demonstrate my passion for this site"

I wouldn't have thought his passion would be in doubt, but I wonder what objectivity he can bring to a public enquiry. If Scotland is either closed for business to the likes of him, or keeping them on a tight leash, then so be it. I can't believe the sycophancy, blindness and money-mindedness of his supporters. I've not seen one comment on these boards since this started extolling the virtues of golf for golf's sake.
7

Al Ford,

Insch 30/04/2008 20:40:55
Good for you, Mr Trump. You should be at the inquiry. Don't forget to get a round of golf in while you're here.

As nothing is perfect in this world, I cannot say that I do not have some reservations about your plans. Nonetheless, I for one hope that you are allowed to go ahead with them provided that the questions that will need to be asked can be answered satisfactorily.

Good luck.
8

dido-bendigo,

Scotland 30/04/2008 21:38:50
He "loves it's natural beauty"?!! How noble of him! So why does he want to iron it out and build all over it?!! Is his representative, a certain Mr Surreal oops! Sorial going to kneel and kiss the tarmac with him when they arrive? Will he be casting brass out of the cavalcade windows to the councillors below his level? How to take over the governing of a country in one easy lesson - Buy it!
9

geoperson,

Edinburgh 30/04/2008 21:50:40
The development is not primarily a golf course but an exclusive gated housing development (almost a small town) for rich oil men in Aberdeen.

Aberdeen does not need any more investment. There are many brown field sites in Scotland and areas of high unemployment and falling population where the investment is needed.
10

Andrew BOD,

Aberdeen/shire 30/04/2008 22:22:28
1. SlyFifer - It's not the locals who want to sink this development (80% in favour,) nor the corporate sector, nor the local or national politicians. Just a few environmental extremists and some communists and anarchists.
2. Mikko - another 'let's get personal-ist' (Menie is not in the Highlands.)
3. Great comment Richard - Westchester comes to mind.
4. John Blackley - The small print that every objector seems to be ignoring is that it's a golf course with much needed housing, not a nuclear power plant or a coal-fire power station.
5. Awake - conspiracy theory?
6. McGinty - it's about golf tourism being developed in an area that needs diversification. Paul Lawrie's development west of the city, Jack Nicklaus' development south of the city, and Trump's in the North will have instant benefits that are already being marketed globally.
7. Al Ford (nice name) - I have a couple of reservations too, but not enough to throw away this opportunity
8. dido-bendigo - yes, that's right, let your personal dislike of Trump (formed I'm sure with the help of the media) get in the way of much needed investment
9. geoperson - 'Aberdeen does not need any more investment' What a statement that is. Aberdeen is Scotland's and the UK's 'Cash-Cow', with little or no infrastructure investment in return. Roll on the bypass, the airport extension, the Trump development and maybe even a swimming pool. It's about time.
11

Lance Boyle,

Linlithgow 30/04/2008 22:42:55
It's the end of the road for Alex. Trump's adoration of this "forward thinker" will do for him. Alex will be the head man at Menie after prison. Scotland deserves far better.
12

Lance Boyle,

Linlithgow 30/04/2008 22:42:58
It's the end of the road for Alex. Trump's adoration of this "forward thinker" will do for him. Alex will be the head man at Menie after prison. Scotland deserves far better.
13

Andrew BOD,

Aberdeen/shire 30/04/2008 22:57:06
Lance

Alex is the best Scotland could have at this time.

What's the alternative? A donkey with a red rosette?

And anyway, what has Trump's endorsement got to do with Salmond's performance as First Minister? If you mean that Trump is in tune with the majority in Scotland, then you'd be right!
14

Jock Tamson,

Scotland, Caledonia, Alba 30/04/2008 23:06:02
And there was me thinking Alford was pronounced "aff-ord" and that Aberdeenshire was not in the Highlands.

Still, Drumnadrochit is in a severe need of developing a new out of town retail park.

On topic, wonder if Trump would be talking the same if McConnell was still at the helm (the emphasis on still, as in boring)? Perhaps the opposition parties we have today would have rubber stamped the development with all the outcry being denied media coverage.
15

connaughtboy,

stonehaven 30/04/2008 23:16:02
#8 What do you mean by "iron it out"?
16

Alan Reid,

NZ 30/04/2008 23:17:35
Trump: "The site is very important to me because I just love its natural beauty and because of my connection to Scotland."

Yes, it's that beautiful I just want to build 500 hundred house on it, so I can flog them as soon as possible, and then move on to the next mega buck making scam.

This area was never going to be zoned for houses so how can he just walk in and get this land.
17

Alan Reid,

NZ 30/04/2008 23:18:26
Oops, meant to say 500 houses.
18

Jock Tamson,

Scotland, Caledonia, Alba 30/04/2008 23:19:47
16, Alan. Check out the housing that has been built in the area. It's quite substantial.
19

Andrew BOD,

Aberdeen/shire 30/04/2008 23:21:46
Jock, if any town's played the tourist card most cynically, it's Drumnadrochit with it's cringeworthy Nessie museum, coupled with 'sightings' at the beginning of each summer season.

At least the Trump development offers serious investment.
20

Jock Tamson,

Scotland, Caledonia, Alba 30/04/2008 23:27:34
19, Andrew. I am for the development. I also happen to think that the Highlands are underdeveloped and have never recovered from the Clearances.

I also think that people in the Highlands have become too used to the underdevelopment for their own good. They want inward investment but not people. They have become lonely strangers in their own land.

This, I feel, is a shame as they deserve to be vibrant and influential in Scotland once again.
21

Andrew BOD,

Aberdeen/shire 30/04/2008 23:28:28
Alan

Get real. He OWNS the land. He's applied for planning permission to build a UNIQUE development with his own money (not Scotland's.)

Stewart Milne builds 500 houses every year in Scotland and then moves onto the next development. It's called business. At least we get a golf resort with economic spin offs into the bargain, with Trump.
22

Jock Tamson,

Scotland, Caledonia, Alba 30/04/2008 23:31:00
Re 20. There is also an element of that in Aberdeenshire, although it is large enough in population to stay cool about it as long as the oil lasts.
23

Andrew BOD,

Aberdeen/shire 30/04/2008 23:32:35
Jock

What do you think of the estate owner in Sutherland who has introduced wild boar and moose and now wants to introduce wolves, lynx and bears into a 'fenced-off' zone?
24

Jock Tamson,

Scotland, Caledonia, Alba 30/04/2008 23:47:52
23, Andrew. I have written to the Scotsman many times to no avail, every time they have reported on this. It was to say that the only species which should be re-introduced into the Highlands is hom0-sapien.

Perhaps a deal could be made with the tree huggers and we could re-introduce all the lost species at the same time in a fair free for all.

Survival of the fittest and all that.

Can't believe my first attempt at posting this was denied because the hom0 in hom0-sapien was written without a hyphen. So was my second. Who is the p0 faced moderator of aduld expression on this joke of a forum?

25

Jock Tamson,

Scotland, Caledonia, Alba 30/04/2008 23:52:17
Just want to find out if I can say pooves and not h0mos
26

Jock Tamson,

Scotland, Caledonia, Alba 30/04/2008 23:54:24
In that case, would the Scotsman spellchecking moderators stop acting like a bunch of pooves?
27

Jock Tamson,

Scotland, Caledonia, Alba 01/05/2008 00:00:22
All creatures should be re-introduced into Highlands at the same time. Wolves, bears, otters, hom0sapiens, beavers but not poovosapiens.
28

Sierra Foothills Scot,

Diamond Springs 01/05/2008 00:06:45
#2 Mikko, Drumnadrochit

Trump's development will be nowhere near the Highlands.
Who's the "egit"?
29

overton,

balmedie 01/05/2008 07:18:09
10 Andrew BOD,Aberdeen/shire

Thanks for that Andrew - it's difficult not to answer some of the more outlandish commentators on this blog (the worst being The Scotsman itself of course).

Have you noticed though, that Martin Ford's little army of eco-clones from Sustainable Aberdeenshire have stopped commenting?

Is this perhaps because their e-mail links to Debra and Martin through the Ellon Focus Website have been discovered?

Or are they preparing for the 'Mother of all Eco Battles' at the enquiry?


 

Comment on this Story

 

In order to post comments you must Register or Sign In

 
 
RSS Feed of this article's comments
Delivery formats: RSS, Atom, Javascript & Email
 
  

 
 


Sister Newspapers:
Press Complaints Commission

This website and its associated newspaper adheres to the Press Complaints Commission’s Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then contact the Editor by clicking here.

If you remain dissatisfied with the response provided then you can contact the PCC by clicking here.