TRUMP-TOWN!
Donald to spend £150m on Scottish golf resort
DONALD Trump’s family firm enraged campaigners yesterday by announcing plans for a £150million expansion at one of his two Scottish golf courses.
The US President’s corporation wants to build luxury homes, a hotel and an equestrian centre at Balmedie near Aberdeen.
His sons, Eric and Donald Junior, who are running the Trump Organisation while he is in office, say the properties will be ‘the most luxurious in the area’.
‘We own a truly phenomenal property along the coast, and remain fully committed to our long-term vision for the site,’ said Eric. Marble bathrooms, logburning stoves and parquet floors have been promised, with prices starting at £295,000.
But Martin Ford, who is a local councillor for the Green Party, said: ‘The folk around here saw through Mr Trump a long time ago. His people have been announcing different iterations of these plans for 12 years now.
‘He swooped in, making implausible, exaggerated statements and unlikely predictions. He hasn’t even built a golf resort – just converted an old building to a hotel.’
The project has been beset by problems from its inception in 2006 – with planning battles and a clash with environmentalists.
Neighbours refused to move out to make way for the Trump Estate and it was put on hold when the financial crisis struck.
Mr Trump also owns a golfing resort at Turnberry in Ayrshire.