DONALD Trump is to personally lead his business empire's bid to persuade the Scottish Government to back his controversial plans to turn an environmentally sensitive stretch of coastline into a £1 billion golf resort.
The Trump Organisation yesterday confirmed the tycoon would fly to Scotland in June to give evidence at a public inquiry into his plan for the Menie Estate near Balmedie, Aberdeenshire.
The planning inquiry, ordered by John Swinney, the Scottish f
inance secretary, is scheduled to begin at the Aberdeen exhibition and conference centre on 10 June.
Speaking yesterday from his office in New York's Trump Tower, the billionaire star of American television's The Apprentice 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.
"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."
He added: "I am looking forward to visiting Aberdeen city and shire again and meeting some of the many people who have been so supportive."
An estimated 30 witnesses, both for and against the massive development are expected to give evidence at the inquiry, scheduled to last three weeks.
Legal representatives of the Trump Organisation told the inquiry's reporter, James McCulloch, that they expected to call up to ten witnesses to give evidence on environmental issues and the economic case for the development, and one possible witness from the Trump Organisation. That witness will now be Mr Trump.
The government intervened after Aberdeenshire Council's planning committee threw out the plans for two championship golf courses, a five-star 450-room hotel, almost 1,000 timeshare apartments, 36 golf villas and 500 homes.
Mr McCulloch, Scotland's top planning appeals official, has made it clear the inquiry will focus on the main issues in dispute in the Trump plan – the proposal to site part of the main golf course on sand dunes designated a site of special scientific interest, the housing element, the financial case for the development and public access.
He told legal representatives at a pre-inquiry hearing that the "identity of a developer" would not be a material consideration.
Mr Swinney has pledged to announce his decision on the development within 28 days of receiving the report on the inquiry from the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals.
Earlier this year Mr Trump expressed surprise over the announcement of a public inquiry into his scheme, but said it could be a positive move provided "it can go quickly".
However, he warned: "If the process takes too long, I'll have no choice but to go some place else."
The full article contains 528 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
