Go-ahead for massive golf resort (but not yours, Donald)

A MASSIVE project that will put the North-east on the world golfing map was given the green light yesterday.

But, sadly for Donald Trump, it wasn't his development.

Rather, it was a £40 million residential and leisure development that will have as its centrepiece a flagship course designed by Jack Nicklaus.

While controversy has raged over Mr Trump's insistence that his main championship course should be sited in a protected site of scientific interest, the Nicklaus course development at the Ury estate on the outskirts of Stonehaven has gone quietly through the various stages of the planning process.

And yesterday, the scheme was unanimously approved by Aberdeenshire Council's infrastructure services committee.

As part of the ambitious scheme by FM Developments, the Ury Estate will become home to only the second signature golf course in Scotland designed by the golfing legend, who has won a record 18 majors.

Yesterday, the man universally known as the Golden Bear pledged to create a "memorable golf experience" in a country that has always held a special place in his heart.

The course at Stonehaven will be the first in Scotland to carry the Nicklaus brand and one of only 25 across the globe to be part of the exclusive Jack Nicklaus Golf Club programme.

Nicklaus, whose only other Scottish creation is the PGA Centenary course at Gleneagles, said: "We are delighted to have Ury Estate join the family of Jack Nicklaus Golf Clubs.

"Ury Estate becomes the first project in the UK to be chosen as part of the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club programme that encompasses some of the world's most sought-after markets and destinations.

"Scotland has always been a very special place for me to play golf, and I look forward to the opportunity given to me to create a memorable golf experience at Ury Estate that my family and each member of the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club family can enjoy for many years to come."

The go-ahead was also welcomed by prominent business leaders in the North-east.

Jennifer Craw, the regional operations director for Scottish Enterprise, said: "We are experiencing one of the most exciting times in our region's development, with fantastic potential for growth from all the golf leisure developments in the pipeline, which could help us achieve our ambitions for the tourism sector.

"Internationally renowned backers like Jack Nicklaus, with their household names and reputations, have the kudos to draw visitors from all over the world to our region."

Mr Trump's proposals for a £1 billion golf and housing development near Balmedie are still in the throes of a public inquiry, while the planned Paul Lawrie course at Blairs College, near Aberdeen, has already been approved.

Ms Craw went on: "This particular (Ury] development to the south of the city complements the proposed projects to the north and west and would slot naturally into an east-coast golf trail up from Fife and Carnoustie."

BACKGROUND

THE 18-hole Nicklaus championship course will be the centrepiece of FM Developments' plans to transform the 1,500-acre Ury Estate into a massive leisure complex, with a hotel and various leisure facilities and 238 houses.

Part of the scheme will involve the restoration of Ury House, the B-listed derelict Elizabethan-style mansion at the centre of the estate.

Richard Milne, the director of FM Developments, said: "Our redevelopment of Ury Estate also represents enabling development in its purest form, with the proceeds from housing directly funding the renovation of historic Ury House.

"Our vision for Ury Estate will benefit not only the Stonehaven community, but the region's economy to the tune of tens of millions of pounds."

Mr Milne added: "To receive this elite designation and Jack's personal involvement in the project is a thrill for our company and a testament to the vision we have to produce a spectacular resort experience located in the North-east."

Geoff Runcie, the chief executive of Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said: "Along with the related renovation of Ury House and the addition of new rural housing, this development will bring a new tourism and leisure dimension to the Stonehaven area."