THERE are several major planning applications currently being considered that have the potential to change the landscape and the economy of the country for ever.
The Trump golf proposal for Aberdeenshire is the most high profile of these.
Donald Trump wants to build what he describes as the "world's best" golf development on the Menie estate, complete with a five-star hotel with 450 bedrooms and nearly 1,0
00 timeshare apartments as well as 500 luxury homes.
The application does not conform with any of the local planning rules or strategies but it is being considered because such a massive development has the potential to bring significant economic benefits to the area.
The Trump development was backed by one committee on Aberdeenshire Council before being opposed by another.
Ministers then decided to call in the application and John Swinney, the finance secretary, is currently considering it.
The Beauly to Denny power line has proved just as controversial, but that is because of the scale of objections it has prompted.
Almost three years ago, Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission, a subsidiary of Scottish & Southern Energy (SSE), and SP Transmission, a subsidiary of ScottishPower, published the proposed route for a 400,000-volt overhead electricity transmission line to replace the 132,000-volt line between Beauly, west of Inverness, and Denny, west of Falkirk.
Since then, there has been a £10 million public inquiry into the 137-mile line, which would cost £350 million to erect.
The proposers say the line is crucial to take power from green energy developments in the Highlands and Islands to markets in the south.
However, opponents say it would involve some 600 huge pylons – each one 67 metres (200 ft) high – and these would ruin the natural beauty of the Great Glen.
No decision has been announced on this application.
The Lewis wind farm is another potentially huge development that is expected to be decided soon.
Lewis Wind Power (LWP) wants to build 176 turbines on Lewis in what would be the biggest onshore wind farm in Europe.
It would generate enough electricity to meet 11 per cent of Scotland's needs but it has also run into problems.
Ministers are making a final decision but they have already told the developer they are "minded to refuse" the development because of damage it would do to peat bogs in the area.
Another project to hit delays has been a plan to redevelop Aviemore by Macdonald Highland Resort.
This £80 million project has been in the pipeline, in some form, for six years, but was held up after concerns were raised by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency over possible flooding to local houses.
The full article contains 453 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
