Donald Trump’s contentious plans to transform a wild and windswept stretch of the Aberdeenshire coastline, in northeast Scotland, into an exclusive £1billion ($2.4 billion) golf resort have been approved by the Scottish Government. While details of the development still need to be ironed out, Trump now has permission to build two 18-hole championship courses, a five-star hotel, a golf academy, spa, 950 time-share vacation villas and 950 holiday homes that will sell for a minimum of $1 million each. The Don-Don said he was “deeply honored” by the decision, which follows a local planning inquiry. However, the Scottish National Party administration was condemned immediately for its “wanton vandalism” of an unspoiled natural habitat by environmentalists who claim the planning approval makes a mockery of the Government’s green agenda. Detailed proposals will be drawn up over the next few months, before the construction of more than 1000 homes and holiday apartments, a 450-bedroom gothic-style hotel and two golf courses. Neil Hobday, the development’s director, said he hoped “the first (golf) shots will be hit in spring 2011”. Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond welcomed the decision to back the project-which was made by his Finance Secretary, John Swinney-after a public inquiry. Mr Salmond, the local member for Buchan, insisted the scheme would create 6000 jobs-including 1400 permanent positions. The First Minister’s view is no doubt shared by many of his constituents and by local business leaders, but was bitterly opposed by Martin Ford, the former chairman of Aberdeenshire Council’s planning committee, which initially blocked the Mr Trump’s application.
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