2nd trump course gets green light
Councillors approve plan despite objections
DoNALD Trump’s company has been given permission to build a second golf course in Aberdeenshire.
The development will be built near the US President’s existing course on Menie Estate.
Its construction, in 2012, has been blamed for badly damaging the dunes system at nearby Foveran Links, an official site of special scientific interest (SSSI).
As a result, conservation experts ha d ur g e d Aberdeenshire council to withhold planning permission for the second course. But councillors gave Trump International Golf Links Scotland the go-ahead, despite locals objecting to the plans on the grounds of loss of public space and the impact it would have on water supply, private roads and nearby estates.
The Scottish Environment Protective Agency (Sepa), also objected to the application, saying the water management plan was inadequate and the environmental management plan was not appropriate.
But councillors claim the new course “will contribute towards the significant social and economic benef its expected to be delivered by the wider development proposals within the Menie estate”.
They did attach 15 conditions to the plan, mainly focused on environmental issues such as pre venting pol l ution , protecting wet dunes and safeguarding bird habitats.
The new 18-hole course will be named MacLeod – after Trump’s Scots mother Mary Anne MacLeod, who was born and raised on Lewis.
The course will share the golf house and facilities serving the Menie course.