US billionaire Donald Trump’s plans for a £1bn golf resort on the Scottish coast north of
Aberdeenshire councillors last week turned down the controversial proposals for two 18-hole golf courses, a 450-room hotel, 36 “golf villas”, 950 holiday homes and associated facilities for golfers and staff on a 1,100-acre site on the Menie Estate.
However, the scheme will now be called in by Scottish Ministers “for their own determination”. Following Aberdeenshire’s decision, Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond was reported to have been “furious”.
It is understood that John Swinney, the Scottish finance secretary, is behind the decision to re-examine the scheme, even though Trump has not formally appealed.
A statement yesterday from the Scottish Government said: “Ministers recognise that the application raises issues of importance that require consideration at a national level. Calling the application in allows Ministers the opportunity to give full scrutiny to all aspects of this proposal before reaching a decision.”
Trump has already threatened to take the plan to
