Thousands sign petition over Trump golf course

Campaigners have handed councillors a petition signed by 31,000 people opposed to the Trump Organisation’s plans for a second golf course in Aberdeenshire.

Proposals were submitted by the Trump Organisation in 2015 for a second 18-hole course at Balmedie – three years after the first one opened.

Members of campaign organisation 38 Degrees presented the petition yesterday.

Campaigners said a recent poll found of those who expressed an opinion, 68 per cent said the course’s planning application should be rejected by Aberdeenshire Council.

Sarah Malone, from Trump International Golf Links, described the figures as “nonsense”.

Stewart Kirkpatrick, head of Scotland for 38 Degrees, said: “The huge petition and our crowdfunded opinion polling are clear evidence of strong public opposition to the Trump Organisation’s plans for a new course.

“After the first course failed to deliver the promised investment and jobs bonanza, Scots now feel the new plan just won’t bring economic benefits to the area. They don’t think the first course should have gone ahead and they certainly don’t feel this one should.”

The online poll of 1,029 people in Scotland was undertaken by Survation on behalf of 38 Degrees last month.