DONALD Trump plans to stand firm on his claim that the "national importance" of the social and economic benefits from the development of his £1 billion golf resort in Aberdeenshire must take precedence over the "adverse" impacts on the environment, it emerged yesterday.
A statement of case, lodged by the Trump organisation in preparation for next month's public inquiry, makes it clear the tycoon has no intention of moving his championship golf course away from the fragile sand dune system at the centre of widespread
opposition to the controversial scheme.
The back nine holes of the course would be built on a third of the Foveran Links, a protected natural heritage area on the Menie estate, designated a site of special scientific interest (SSSI).
But the document also reveals the Trump organisation is willing to enter into an agreement which will cover a contribution to affordable housing, education facilities, community facilities and off-site road improvements, should the scheme be backed by Scottish ministers.
The document states that the Trump organisation backs the conclusion of a report to Aberdeenshire Council by the authority's head of development management and building standards.
The report stated: "The view of development management is this is an occasion where the social and economic benefits are of national importance and these override the adverse environmental impacts."
Mr Trump will be called as his organisation's main witness at the inquiry.
Evidence will also be led on the need to cross-fund the resort from the residential development – which includes a 450-room five-star hotel, 500 residential homes and almost 1,000 timeshare apartments – and to explain "why the golf course cannot be relocated" to avoid the SSSI.
The full article contains 286 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
