Council urged to reject planned expansion of Trump’s golf course

A petition urging Aberdeenshire Council to reject plans to expand a golf course owned by Donald Trump has attracted more than 36,000 signatures.

The Trump Organisation hopes to build a second 18-hole course at the Trump International Golf Links Scotland resort north of Aberdeen.

Both the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage have formally objected to the plans in their current form over alleged breaches of rules governing sewage pollution, environmental protection and conserving groundwater. Now a petition started by a global advocacy group has called on the local authority planning department to throw out the application when it goes before councillors on 22 August. Sumofus has previously campaigned against Ineos proposals for unconventional gas extraction in central Scotland.

It is now calling on Aberdeenshire Council to “stand up to Mr Trump and reject his plans”.

A spokeswoman for Trump International Golf Links said: “Our application is making its way through the planning system and this dialogue will continue until it goes before committee for consideration.

“We are extremely confident in our proposal and that this process will reach a satisfactory conclusion acceptable to all parties.”