SCOTLAND'S ability to attract inward investment does not depend on Donald Trump winning his battle to build his controversial golf resort, according to the Scots-born former head of a major US utilities group.
Bill Sim, who recently retired after serving as president and chief executive officer of two major American power companies, said having a "consistent, open and fair" planning system was more important for businesses.
Sim's comments appear to be a
t odds with the views of many Scottish business leaders, who have warned that rejecting the plans could damage Scotland's reputation as a destination for business.
Last month, six major business organisations, including the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and British and Scottish chambers of commerce, issued a statement supporting the tycoon's proposals.
Iain McMillan, director of CBI Scotland, said the decision taken by Aberdeenshire council to reject Trump's plan was "potentially very damaging" for the country. Trump's planning application to build a golf course resort on the Menie Estate was rejected by the council's main planning committee but was then "called in" by the Scottish Government.
But Sim, left, who worked for Pepco and Atlantic City Electric – which supplies Trump's casino with electricity – said the billionaire was behaving as all successful developers did.
Speaking ahead of a Tartan Day dinner in Carnoustie last night, Sim told The Scotsman: "In my personal opinion, you can't judge Scotland being open or closed for business based on Donald Trump. Trump is a very successful developer. Developers by their nature have to get things done. To my mind, that has nothing to do with whether Scotland is open or closed for business.
"You need a planning process that is consistent, open and fair – that doesn't you roll over to developers or drag it out for ever – but as long as your development system is consistent then I don't think you have a problem."
Sim said he also believed Scotland could lead the world in the field of offshore wind power.
"Scotland has some advantages based on the experiences in the North Sea that they could capitalise on," he said.
"Wind comes with its detractors but if it's far enough offshore that you don't have the visual issues related to the beaches then I think it has an opportunity."
He said Scotland could also have an advantage in the markets for tidal and wave power.
Sim, 62, who was born in Edinburgh but worked in the US until he retired from Pepco last year, is now head of Midlothian Consultants, who advise on construction, energy and telecoms.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: "Our planning system is undergoing its most significant modernisation in more than 60 years and reform will help increase sustainable economic growth."
The full article contains 458 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
