Trump criticised ahead of hearing

Councillors have been urged to take a stand against Donald Trump as a hearing prepares to take place over plans for 550 homes at the Menie estate.

Trump International Golf Links Ltd wants to build 550 homes alongside community facilities, shops, offices, food and drink, landscaping and supporting infrastructure near his Aberdeenshire course.

A council committee is to meet for a pre-determination hearing next Wednesday to allow views to be expressed on the controversial proposals.

Councillor Martin Ford, one of Mr Trump’s leading critics in Aberdeenshire, will not be taking part in a vote on the application so is able to give his views in advance.

He urged his elected colleagues to reject the proposals if they find them to contradict planning policy, which he believes they do.

Mr Ford added: “We can see there’s no political attraction for decision makers breaching planning policy to pander to who’s blatantly an international pariah.” He added: “Elected individuals who are watching by on the other side of the street holding their noses just won’t do. We have to say this isn’t acceptable – Scotland and the environment cannot stand for this.”

It is the latest in a longrunning saga which includes Alex Salmond’s Scottish Government overturning the local authority’s rejection of the 2006 proposals in 2008.

At the time, the former First Minister said: “The economic and social benefits for the northeast of Scotland substantially outweigh any environmental impact.”

The development faced criticism from members of the community for destruction of a sand dune system of special scientific interest, although it did receive widespread support from business leaders.

US President Donald Trump.