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Councillors set to allow work to start on Trump's golf resort

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Published Date: 22 October 2009
By Frank Urquhart
COUNCILLORS are expected next week to allow work finally to begin on transforming one of the most fragile stretches of Scotland's coastline into Donald Trump's dream golf resort.
The tycoon first announced his ambitious plan three years ago to create the "world's greatest golf course" on the Menie estate, near Balmedie.

On Tuesday, the first detailed proposals for the development of the huge site will come before Aber
deenshire Council's Formartine area committee.

Both RSPB Scotland and the Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) have lodged objections to the proposals to begin stabilisation work on what environmentalists have hailed as the "jewel in the crown" of Scotland's shifting sand dune systems.

Tony King, the SWT's head of policy, said:

"Aberdeenshire Council must refuse planning permission until all the conditions of planning consent are met, to minimise the damage to biodiversity caused by development on the site of special scientific interest."

But Sonya Galloway, the area planning officer, is recommending that full planning permission be granted for the grass-planting and preparatory earthworks on an area of the inner dunes covering 105 hectares.

Ms Galloway states: "The objective of this proposal is to stabilise a large area of mobile, bare sand, through the establishment of marram grass, to facilitate the construction and operation of the championship golf course.

"It is within this area that the holes at the northern end of the championship golf course are proposed in due course."





Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 21 October 2009 6:10 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Donald Trump
 
1

Charles Linskaill,

Edinburgh 22/10/2009 00:44:02

"Trump's dream", of 'ball games', takes priority over those who have lived in their house all of their lives, the concept is 'stunning', we all must dream more, as our dreams may come true, judging by the decisions of Aberdeenshire Council.

2

overton,

Balmedie 22/10/2009 06:25:55
Excellent news - let's get this project moving and see the much awaited boost to the economy of the North East!
3

,

22/10/2009 06:33:01
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4

Bret,

22/10/2009 06:34:04
Soor grapes for the canny country teuchters who dinna wunt ony change at a'. Go for it Mr. Trump, and bring in the revenue for the area!
5

drunken proffet,

Tassy 22/10/2009 08:45:21
It is about time they had a few more golf courses up in Aberdeenshire. Edinburgh is hoaching with them, and I do not believe even the council has converted them to housing commission estates. Even if Mr Trump provides a thousand houses for those and such as those, he will have to open the courses to the Scottish common or garden variety golfer, to make it all viable. It is a great wee game if you get involved. He would need a good number of young golfers coming up if he wants to be a serious contender in the interclub matches. Or is he going to rely on the offspring from his wealthy residents. That is possibly unfair, my only experience being the offspring who had access to an exceptional salmon river and stayed at home smoking marijuana. You encourage local kids onto your courses, set up interclub matches and you are all the way. Don't look on it as an excessive expense to accommodate the local kids, look on it as rehab for the poor wee bandits who have not had a Scottish upbringing.
6

Buttress,

22/10/2009 08:51:32
Well, nothing interesting to read in the comments here then. Simply the same old stuff from overton. Bet he's a wow in the pub.
7

Sue E,

Inverurie 22/10/2009 09:34:00
If the councillors just rubber stamp this application against the advice of all the environmental experts involved in this development, the terrible message that Scotland values inappropriate development over its wild and beautiful places will go out to the whole world. Once work starts on the dunes the damage will be irreparable. Here in Scotland we would rather save the Amur tigers than our own land.
8

Jock Wilson,

22/10/2009 09:38:37
6

Surprised to see that you are still involved in the dregs of this particular campaign which is all but over.

Isn't there a yellow brick road in Kansas in danger of being turned into a shopping mall that needs your fanatical support?
9

Jock Wilson,

22/10/2009 09:43:41
7

Usual sententious drivel. Many of our wild and beautiful places were brutally cleared of its humanity, so your hypocricy is stunning. You want to claim both sides of the coin.

Whichever side you support in this whole fiasco, there have been terrible messages reverberating around the world (assuming that the world gives a fig about the North East of Scotland)

10

overton,

Balmedie 22/10/2009 09:58:14
#7

Don't forget the cetations Big Yin. We all care about them.
11

drunken proffet,

Tassy 22/10/2009 10:09:31
Let us get a bit realistic. One guy wants to convert a bit of Scotland that was enjoyed by birdies and other wildlife to an area where the local inhabitants and very many overpaid individuals want to play golf. There is a strong resentment to this idea.
It is pretty normal, I mean that the folk who left the country for other shores were not getting away from the wild life. Look on the positive side, folk like that in Scotland, and there are very many, keep the expats from descending back to their homeland on mass.
12

Buttress,

22/10/2009 10:17:40
Again, not much informed comment from the fanatics who support this destruction.

Sue E has it about right.

If Trump is the future, heaven help us all.
13

McGinty,

Glasgow & Aberdeen 22/10/2009 11:16:16
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh

&^&*(*)(*+ _)^$"£$^^& &(__$^%& &%£ $"£$& ********&!!!!!!!!

Hell mend them....
14

Buttress,

22/10/2009 11:18:38
Ms Galloway clearly has no idea what she is doing.
15

Pilrig.,

Livingston 22/10/2009 18:53:35
Don sez 'jump !' & the cooncil asks 'how high' ?
16

Buttress,

22/10/2009 18:59:56
That's about the size of it.
17

Myosotis,

22/10/2009 21:15:09
What Frank Urquhart hasn`t said is that Aberdeenshire`s planner, Sonya Galloway, has maintained support for the conditions that the Inquiry inspectors laid down, and which John Swinney endorsed.

The Trump organisation hasn`t yet fulfilled these conditions, and it will be interesting to see if the Formartine councillors insist that they are kept.

Conditions like having an Ecological Clerk of Works in post before work starts, ready to make sure the contractors don`t damage the wildlife in the spaces between the golf holes. According to TIGLS in the summer, this person couldn`t be named because of holiday delays, but surely they still can`t use that excuse. More likely they are arguing about salaries, which does not bode well for the prospect of lots of well-paid jobs at the resort.

Of course some in Aberdeen will support Donald Trump whatever he asks, but from the number of people who have commented on message boards that they now realise the Trump organisation have overstepped the mark in pushing for CPOs last summer, I have hopes that the Formartine committee will take a sensible approach.

And avoid the notoriety heaped on Aberdeenshire from earlier Council votes.
18

Buttress,

22/10/2009 22:00:55
Thanks for that:-) What we need now is a link to the planning report...
19

Prudence,

22/10/2009 22:07:14
This is the sort of nonsense ,posted on the internet, from golfers that are a discredit to the sport.
.......................................................................................

CPO em baby! You can't have a par three with an elevated tee playing around a four-bedroom family home! That's just madness!

Clear 'em out the way, and turn that area of special scientific interest into the mother of all bunkers!

Come on Donny, tell those families they're fired!

From The Architects journal 15/9/09
................................................................................................
20

Prudence,

22/10/2009 22:41:03
Planning Application: APP/2009/2479

Proposal: Full planning permission for marram grass planting, preparatory earthworks and chestnut pale fencing on the inner dunes at Menie Links

SWT believes that the above planning application is in clear breach of the conditions set
out in the Section 75 Agreement under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act
1997 and this forms the basis of our objection.
Quote......
Below we detail the conditions of the Section 75 Agreement which we believe have been flouted.

Condition 11 of the Agreement states:

Prior to any works commencing in relation to either golf course, an Environmental Management
Plan prepared to an industry-recognised standard (either IS400001 [sic] or the European
standard EMAS) shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the planning authority,
following consultation with SNH. The Plan shall relate to both the construction and operational
phases of the development and shall include full details of:

{continued}
21

Prudence,

22/10/2009 22:42:12
(i) methods and areas of stabilisation within the dune systems
(ii) routing of the course including reference to tracks, paths and any other ancillary
requirements
(iii) specification of grass types, vegetation and seed mixes to be used and identification
of planting areas
(iv) compliance with best practice standards in relation to soil and turf stripping and
storage and provision of details on areas for storage
(v) identification of areas and methods for translocation of habitats
(vi) a phasing plan, specifying timings and durations of construction aspects in relation to
each course
(vii) a turf management plan, with full details of fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides,
including type, rates of application, duration and method
(viii) management of areas of fairway, greens, tees, transition rough and rough, including
mowing/grazing regimes, with details of disposal of mown clippings
(ix) water irrigation and abstraction rates
(x) identification of the proposed number of rounds per annum, by an agreed date per
annum for the first 10 years of operation of each course
22

Buttress,

23/10/2009 00:16:27
i think that the AJ comments, however, were ironic.
23

Prudence,

23/10/2009 09:16:25
Comment on Ironside Farrar's , Scotland's leading independent Environmental Consultants , website.

The TRUMP INTERNATIONAL GOLF RESORT, at Menie Estate Aberdeenshire, represents a high profile, highly sensitive project. Trump International having secured planning are now advancing the project through masterplanning and detailed consultation.




24

Buttress,

23/10/2009 12:04:58
Highly sensitive? It sure is.
25

Prudence,

23/10/2009 12:49:33
Yes, indeed.

Following the War, the Area Between Rockend and the Ythan Bridge was cleared of Landmines by the army, 19 landmines were never found due to the nature of the shifting sands. Over the years when some were discovered these were defused, but it is known that some were put down rabbit burrows out the way, as such there are still landmines in the area.
26

Buttress,

23/10/2009 14:21:15
:-)
27

Richard Taylor,

Abdn 23/10/2009 19:11:26
:o)
28

overton,

Balmedie 24/10/2009 06:40:41
:#)
29

,

24/10/2009 08:48:43
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30

,

24/10/2009 09:24:22
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31

Ggordon,

24/10/2009 16:50:19


Good
32

Ggordon,

24/10/2009 16:51:28


Debra Storr is not the councillor for Balmedie.
33

Myosotis,

25/10/2009 16:32:23
There`s more bad publicity for Aberdeenshire Council in today`s Sunday Times.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article6888930.ece

And there were also anti-Trump remarks in the Independent comment pages earlier in the week.

When national newspapers have gained the impression that we in the NE are hand-in-glove with a notorious businessman, there is bound to be a knock-on effect in making potential tourists feel they will be ripped-off here, and our natural assets of scenery and wildlife simply aren`t worth coming to see.
34

,

25/10/2009 18:08:13
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35

,

25/10/2009 22:34:08
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36

,

26/10/2009 06:21:38
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37

,

26/10/2009 06:22:55
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38

Buttress,

26/10/2009 09:54:52
Yes, I read that Sunday Times article. It raised interesting issues.

The rest of what overton failed to quote is, I belive this:


Last night Ms Storr said she remains true to her principles.

“All councillors are elected as individuals – not as party mouthpieces,” she said.

“My constituents know who I am, what my principles are and that I will stand by my principles. Several people have recently contacted me to tell me that my principled stand, especially in support of my constituents at Menie who are still menaced by the threat of compulsory purchase, has changed their minds about this housing development.

“I have applied to join the Scottish Green Party as an individual, but I will remain part of the Democratic Independent Group on Aberdeenshire Council."

Mr Merson recently accused Ms Storr of misrepresenting comments he made about the American tycoon’s golf resort during a council meeting, which she denied.

One of the residents living on Mr Trump’s estate backed her version of events.
39

Ggordon,

26/10/2009 10:13:34

Debra Storr is not the councillor for Balmedie or Menie.

She was elected as a LibDem, she betrays the electorate, who voted LibDem. She did not follow their policies. Storr was not elected as an 'Independent'
40

Ggordon,

26/10/2009 10:15:59

Her deceived constituents, certainly know who and what she is.
41

Myosotis,

26/10/2009 10:21:15
I wonder if the existence of unfortunate letters between council staff and TIGLS after they intimated last spring they were wanting CPOs is the real reason why Aberdeenshire councillors voted to do nothing on CPOs last month.

Going back on what had been accepted in principle, if not announced to the public, could open the council and some top employees to expensive legal action.

It wouldn`t be the first time Donald has sued.
42

Prudence,

26/10/2009 13:07:38

To vote or not to vote
That is the question
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind
To take up arms against a sea of CPO's
Or to leave well alone and
By opposing , end them.

It reminds me of the tale of the three sisters, who were shunted aboard a leaking boat and pushed out onto the Forvie sea, to deny them their rightful inheritance. "Let nocht bee funde in Furvye's glebes / Bot thystl, bente and sande." ( Let only thistle and sand be found at Forvie ) they shouted and screamed, and thats precisely what happened.




43

Buttress,

26/10/2009 14:38:13
Indeed, the Sunday Times article was very interesting.

44

Buttress,

26/10/2009 14:41:12
33 how very odd - I note that earlier some of those anti-Trump comments, which are relevant to the story, were on this site, now they have gone. I seem to recall that there were places named where Trump is suing the local people?

Can you repeat again where they can be found? Thanks.

45

Buttress,

26/10/2009 15:16:37
The latest news is that there has been a request made to the EU by Caroline Lucas MEP.

Here is a short extract from a longer article, which I think is relevant to the application as detailed in the story reported above:


"Trump's dream Scottish golf course could be investigated by EU

The leader of the Green Party in England and Wales, Caroline Lucas MEP, has urged the European Commission to launch a full investigation into American tycoon Donald Trump's controversial plans to build a golf course and resort development on valuable ecological land in Aberdeenshire.

In a letter to the Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas, the Green Euro MP expressed concern that outline planning permissions for the development granted by Aberdeenshire Council could be in breach of European law on the environment and local planning."

46

Prudence,

26/10/2009 15:39:36
44 Try www.palosverdes.com.
47

Buttress,

26/10/2009 16:00:44
Thanks.

I note that www.trippinguptrump.com latest is this Press Release; I repeat it here as very relevant to the story above.

"Aberdeenshire Council Breaks Rules to Help Destroy Protected Dunes

Yesterday's Sunday Times article exposed Aberdeenshire council’s relationship with the Trump organisation as far 'too close', especially that of Dr Christine Gore, Director of Planning.

Today Tripping Up Trump releases more evidence of Aberdeenshire council in bed with Trump, this time breaking rules to help Trump destroy the protected mobile dune system, a designated site of special scientific interest.

Despite objections to Dr Christine Gore, Trump's application to commence work on the dunes is scheduled to be heard at the Formartine Area Committee tomorrow. The application should not be heard by the Formartine Committee.

The proposal is a major development contrary to the development plan and thereby requires a pre-determination hearing before being submitted to the full council. The application also requires an environmental impact assessment.

Tripping Up Trump spokesperson Martin Glegg said, "Aberdeenshire Council have so far been unable to protect local families from Trump. Now they have the chance to honor a pre-protected site of special scientific interest by allowing it the due process it is entitled to. If Trump gets the go-ahead it will set a dangerous precedent, putting more of the land we hold dear at the whim of greedy developers".


If the council chooses to ignore this letter Tripping Up Trump are advised to seek an immediate judicial review and/or interdict in connection with any grant of planning permission."


It will be interesting to see what happens next.


48

Myosotis,

26/10/2009 16:24:32
If the Sunday Times have quoted accurately from Aberdeenshire senior planner`s letter of 7 April 2009, she (Christine Gore) has a lot of explaining to do.

This letter was replying after the TIGLS lawyers had notified the council in February of their desire for CPOs to evict householders at Menie.

Gore wrote: “In terms of public relations and management of the inevitable media interest, I would request that we be given at least a week’s notice of your intended submission date. Thereafter, close liaison will be required . . . . in order that we can have a managed approach to what is inevitably going to be a difficult and emotive reaction.”

Working for a developer to manage adverse public reaction to a proposal is not in the normal remit of a planning authority.

However, I am sure the great majority of Aberdeenshire planners are doing their job conscientiously and honestly, and it has to be remembered that great pressure has been exerted by the local media to push along the Trump golfopolis as fast as possible, and doubtless some councillors also pressurised the head of planning
49

Myosotis,

26/10/2009 16:27:10
From Times on Line, but maybe not suitable for Scottish readers.

Joan MacDonald wrote:
Trump always tells his latest victim ( in this case Aberdeenshire Councillors and their chief Planning Officer, Christine Gore ) that he will build the Best Golf Course in the World. So why are none of his golf courses rated in the TOP 100 greatest golf courses in the world ?
These people really should look at his record in the US and elsewhere, e.g. his sueing of the small town of Ranchos Palos Verdes for $100m because the local authority there are regretting they ever gave him planning permission, are refusing to name the road leading to the golfcourse "Trump Drive" and they are demanding that he remove 12 ft tall trees which he planted so that his golfers would not have to look at what he calls "Low Cost Housing ", which has resulted in the owners in these houses being robbed of their great view of the sea. They should also look at the court cases going on between Trump and the Deutsche Bank. Get real Aberdeenshire !
He is a liar and a charleton, so dump him before you get deeper into the Trump mire.
October 25, 2009 5:39 PM GMT on community.timesonline.co.uk
50

Buttress,

26/10/2009 16:34:11
#49 Yes, I read that too, an interesting perspective on this.
51

Myosotis,

26/10/2009 18:03:17
From the webpage of a LibDem parliamentary candidate.

I know this is another reworking of the information obtained by FoI, but it shows a LibDem criticising his own party.

Clearly the LibDems are split, just like the other main parties in the NE.

""Sunday, October 25, 2009
Aberdeenshire Council in Cahoots with Trump.

Is it any wonder that Aberdeenshire Council have not been taken action to protect local residents from the threat of Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs)? As far back as April this year they have been preparing to help the billionaire property developer overcome the public outcry of such an action.

A letter from the council's senior planning officer Dr Christine Gore dated 7 April reads:


"In terms of public relations and management of the inevitable media interest, I would request that we be given at least a week’s notice of your intended submission date. Thereafter, close liaison will be required . . . in order that we can have a managed approach to what is inevitably going to be a difficult and emotive reaction."


So the council have for months been willing with Trump to pave the way for his use of compulsory purchase orders, rather that being neutral and yet to make a decision on the matter as recent events in chambers would have us believe.

The Glasgow based organisation spinwatch is accusing Aberdeenshire council of a "conflict of interests". Prof. David Miller professor of sociology at Strathclyde university and head of Spinwatch said of the discussions being discussed in this way three months before they became public:


"The question of probity and governance is raised by these documents. The council is supposed to protect the public interest, not the private interests of a major corporation. These documents suggest Aberdeenshire council is too close to the Trump Organisation."


The voters of Aberdeenshire Council deserve representatives that will look after their interests, but sadly appear to have a majority
52

Buttress,

26/10/2009 18:05:46
Here is Caroline Lucas MEP Blog, with a link to the letter she has sent to the EU:

http://www.carolinelucasmep.org.uk/2009/10/26/controversial-trump-golf-course-may-breach-eu-law-warns-green-mep/

53

Buttress,

26/10/2009 18:08:34
It's an interesting point of view, don't you think?

Controversial Trump Golf Course May Breach EU Law, Warns Green MEP

26 October 2009 - The leader of the Green Party England and Wales, Caroline Lucas MEP, has urged the European Commission to launch a full investigation into American tycoon Donald Trump’s controversial plans to build a golf course and resort development on valuable ecological land in Aberdeenshire.

In a letter to the Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas, the Green Euro-MP expressed concern that outline planning permissions for the development granted by Aberdeenshire Council could be in breach of European law on the environment and local planning.

Initial outline planning permission was granted to Trump by Scottish Ministers in December 2008 after the council rejected it. Five supplementary planning applications were made earlier this year and given the go-ahead a few weeks ago. A further application - to start work on transforming the Menie dunes into a golf course - is due to be considered by Aberdeenshire Council’s Formartine Area Committee on Tuesday 27 October.

Dr Lucas MEP said:

"This proposed development will inevitably have a significant impact on valuable ecological sites in the area – in particular, on the dune habitat in the 1,400 acre site, which Scottish Natural Heritage has called ‘the largest and most superlative example in north-western Europe’ of a rare ‘dynamic dune’ system.

"The essential feature of this site - the continuous sand movement which then creates new dune slack habitat - will be completely compromised by stabilising the dunes to form a golf course. That stabilisation process could start within a fortnight if Aberdeenshire Council gives planning permission this week.

"The site itself is a listed Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) under Scottish law. While the outline planning approval does impose a series of environmental checks and control, I am concerned that species and habitats li
54

Buttress,

26/10/2009 18:09:32
continued

I am concerned that species and habitats listed in the Habitats Directive and the Wild Birds Directive may not be adequately protected if this development is allowed to go ahead."

"What’s more, important planning procedure seems to have been breached - and might be again this week. Permission for the development granted in 2008 was based on the conclusion that its benefits outweighed the major adverse environmental effects.

"Under EU law, an environmental statement should have been submitted for the five supplementary applications which have now been approved. This didn’t happen, so denying members of the public an opportunity to fully comment on the applications – and planning officers the chance to give proper advice on environmental impact and recommended mitigation.

"The application due to be considered by the Council this week is described as being for a Major Development, but it is not being decided according to the procedure stipulated for Major Developments.

"Aberdeenshire Council has a track record of ignoring due process and putting Donald Trump’s interests ahead of both local residents and their own protected countryside. Any decision to allow work to begin on fixing the mobile dunes risks being a breach of the legislation, and I am therefore today urging the European Commission to intervene."


The letter to the EU link is at the end of the page.
55

Buttress,

26/10/2009 18:20:56
The link is here:

http://www.carolinelucasmep.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/file/DimasTrumpSept2009(1).pdf

Such interesting points raised. Still, no doubt some will say it's a little local matter, nothing to do with those outside the immediate area - and Trump, in the US, of course.
56

Buttress,

26/10/2009 18:24:22
I do think that letter is worth repeating in full, if I may, it's so much connected with the story above

Commissioner Dimas
DG Environment
The European Commission
200 Rue de la Loi
B1049 Brussels
Belgium
September 30th 2009

Dear Commissioner,
I am writing with considerable concern to alert you to a planning matter that would appear to
breach European law on a number of counts and to urge you to investigate it fully.
Aberdeenshire Council in Scotland have granted outline planning permissions for a golf course
and resort development by the American businessman Donald Trump. Initial outline planning
permission was granted by Scottish Ministers in December 2008, after the council rejected it.
Five supplementary planning applications were made earlier this year and given the go ahead a
few weeks ago.

I am objecting to both rounds of applications on a number of grounds:
? This development will impact on valuable ecological sites. In particular, there are four
types of dune habitat: shifting dunes, fixed or grey dunes, decalcified fixed dunes and
humid dune slacks, or hollows. They are home to lichen-rich grasses, dune willow, sand
sedge, common bent-grass and sheep's fescue, with soft rush, sweet grass and creeping
bent-grass in the swampier areas. Scottish Natural Heritage have called the 1,400 acre
site "the largest and most superlative example in north-western Europe" of a rare
"dynamic dune" system in which sand moves under a 400m "dome" according to prevailing
winds. The dunes are valuable habitats for a range of other wildlife including skylarks,
otters, pipistrelle bats, badgers and toads. Migratory pink-footed geese also periodically
nest in the dunes. As far as I am aware the site itself has not been designated a Special
Protection Area under the EU’s Habitats Directive although it is a listed Site of Special
Scientific Interest under Scottish law. The outline planning approval does impose a series
of environmental checks and co
57

Buttress,

26/10/2009 18:27:31
control. However, I am concerned that species and habitatslisted in the Habitats Directive and the Wild Birds Directive may not be adequately
protected if this development is permitted to go ahead.

? Permission for the golf related development granted in 2008 was based on the conclusion
that its benefits outweighed the major adverse environmental effects. An environmental
statement was not submitted for any of the 5 supplementary applications. This is
required under Directive 85/337/EEC, transposed as the Environmental Impact
Assessment (Scotland) Regulations 1999. As a result, members of the public have been
denied an opportunity to fully comment on all aspects of the applications, whilst planning officers have presumably been unable to properly advise on any environmental impact and recommended mitigation related to the development as a whole. The
additional applications represent substantial additions and, as such, the process of
considering potential benefits as weighed against environmental damage must be
repeated under planning law.

? Planning procedure appears to have been breached, as the 5 supplementary applications
were granted permission without the Council or potential objectors being privy to the nature of any development that might occur at the sites in question or how this might achieve the benefits which the developer has declared. Again, this denies members of
the public their rights under EU law to be consulted as stakeholders.

I would also draw your attention to the fact that Aberdeenshire Council is poised to agree to
using its powers of compulsory purchase to obtain 4 properties on land that Mr Trump wishes to
develop. Under Scottish planning law CPOs are only meant to be granted for projects which have
clear public infrastructure benefits, not to profit a private development. Can you confirm
whether such a move by the Council can be challenged by the owners of these properties under
Directive 2003/35/EC or indeed any o
58

Buttress,

26/10/2009 18:30:30
cont
Directive 2003/35/EC or indeed any other EU law?
I look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely,
Caroline Lucas – Green Party MEP

So it does appear that concern is growing; it's not just a local matter.
59

,

26/10/2009 20:19:49
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60

Buttress,

26/10/2009 20:40:16
#59 So, Ggordon, you consider reporting the fact an MEP has raiesd all manner of legal concerns makes me/us/her

quote you

"Completely Off Your Head"

Insightful? Not really, but it's what is expected of certain Trump supporters.
61

overton,

Balmedie 27/10/2009 06:00:15
Quote from the Ellon Times - 22 Oct 2009

Cllr Merson added: "The Green Party has not managed to achieve electoral success in the North east of Scotland to date – little wonder that Patrick Harvie should welcome two new Green councillors through the back door, but it hardly augurs well for his Party's democratic credentials.

"Of course, more astute observers of the local political scene will have deduced many months ago that the orgy of self-publicity which councillors Ford and Storr have deliberately generated by their rabid objection to the Trump International Golf Links Project had an ulterior motive - and I have every confidence that they will in due course announce themselves as parliamentary candidates for the Green Party.
"I would therefore suggest that the starting point of their quest for higher political office would be to step down from the council and offer themselves as Green candidates in a by-election."
62

Buttress,

27/10/2009 09:51:49
How very odd, that some person has seen fit to report as unsuitable part of a letter from an MEP.

I wonder what scares them?
63

Buttress,

27/10/2009 10:07:16
Overton #61 keeps repeating that but not the balanced part of the article, which is this:

Last night Ms Storr said she remains true to her principles.

“All councillors are elected as individuals – not as party mouthpieces,” she said.

“My constituents know who I am, what my principles are and that I will stand by my principles. Several people have recently contacted me to tell me that my principled stand, especially in support of my constituents at Menie who are still menaced by the threat of compulsory purchase, has changed their minds about this housing development.

“I have applied to join the Scottish Green Party as an individual, but I will remain part of the Democratic Independent Group on Aberdeenshire Council."

Mr Merson recently accused Ms Storr of misrepresenting comments he made about the American tycoon’s golf resort during a council meeting, which she denied.

One of the residents living on Mr Trump’s estate backed her version of events.

64

Buttress,

27/10/2009 10:13:30
I cannot see in what way this part of a letter from an MEP to the EU was reported as unsuitable to be repeated here. What are those pressing the report button so scraed of in allowing freedom of information?
This is the continuation of #56

"The outline planning approval does impose a series
of environmental checks and control. However, I am concerned that species and habitats listed in the Habitats Directive and the Wild Birds Directive may not be adequatelyprotected if this development is permitted to go ahead.

Permission for the golf related development granted in 2008 was based on the conclusion that its benefits outweighed the major adverse environmental effects. An environmental statement was not submitted for any of the 5 supplementary applications. This is
required under Directive 85/337/EEC, transposed as the Environmental Impact Assessment (Scotland) Regulations 1999. As a result, members of the public have been
denied an opportunity to fully comment on all aspects of the applications, whilst planning officers have presumably been unable to properly advise on any environmental impact and recommended mitigation related to the development as a whole. The
additional applications represent substantial additions and, as such, the process of considering potential benefits as weighed against environmental damage must be repeated under planning law.

Planning procedure appears to have been breached, as the 5 supplementary applications were granted permission without the Council or potential objectors being privy to the nature of any development that might occur at the sites in question or how this might
achieve the benefits which the developer has declared. Again, this denies members of the public their rights under EU law to be consulted as stakeholders.

I would also draw your attention to the fact that Aberdeenshire Council is poised to agree to
using its powers of compulsory purchase to obtain 4 properties on land that Mr Trump wishes to
devel
65

Buttress,

27/10/2009 10:15:20
cont from #64 above, the letter from Caroline Lucas MEP to the EU

"I would also draw your attention to the fact that Aberdeenshire Council is poised to agree to
using its powers of compulsory purchase to obtain 4 properties on land that Mr Trump wishes to
develop. Under Scottish planning law CPOs are only meant to be granted for projects which have
clear public infrastructure benefits, not to profit a private development. Can you confirm whether such a move by the Council can be challenged by the owners of these properties under Directive 2003/35/EC or indeed any other EU law?"

The entire text is available via her website.
66

EchtLoon,

27/10/2009 21:16:29
#63 - QUOTE - Last night Ms Storr said she remains true to her principles.

“All councillors are elected as individuals – not as party mouthpieces,” she said.
____________________________________________

I think you'll find most voters, and certainly the parties candidates represent will have a view entirely opposed to that interpretation from Stoor, otherwise they would vote Independent in the first place, and indeed why was Stoor standing as a LibDem if she actually did not hold with party policy?

Just more evidence that it is all about her. Thanks for posting Buttress, you were right to quote the pieces missed by Overton.
67

Buttress,

28/10/2009 12:29:27
Oh, hen, it's not over yet.

 

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