Trump takes wind farm f ight to court
Tycoon ‘denied fair hearing’ over turbine plans
BILLIONAIRE Donald Trump has l aunched a legal challenge against the Scottish Government’s approval of a wind farm he claims will spoil the view from new luxury golf links. The businessman has led a vociferous campaign against the 11- turbine European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre.
The Trump International Golf Links opened at Balmedie, Aberdeenshire, last summer with the support of politicians and businesses – but was opposed by some r esidents and green groups.
Yesterday, it emerged a petition had been lodged with the Court of Session in Edinburgh.
Mr Trump claims he was denied a ‘fair hearing’ as Scottish Ministers refused to hold a public inquiry into the wind farm.
He also alleges bias, claiming it ‘appears the Scottish Govern- ment, as well as Aberdeen City Council have financial involvement in the project’.
Mr Trump said: ‘We will not allow the Scottish Government or any other party to undermine what we have created at Trump International Golf Links and look forward to progressing the development further once this battle is behind us.’
The petition, lodged by Trump International Golf Links and the Trump Organisation, asks the court to declare that the decision not to hold a public inquiry and the approval of the centre in Aberdeen Bay were unlawful and seeks to have both decisions reversed.
The centre will lie between one and three miles off the coast and will be able to generate 100MW, providing energy to meet the
‘See through his bluff and bluster’
needs of as many as 49,000 homes, almost half the number in Aberdeen, the Government has said.
As drilling began at the development site, Swedish energy firm Vattenfall, the majority shareholder, said it was paring back its investment.
The firm said it has to ‘prioritise its investments’ and would reduce its stake in the project.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘The Scottish Govern- ment is committed to the successful and sustainable development of an offshore wind sector which could lead to a potential generation of over £7billion to Scotland’s economy and support up to 28,000 direct jobs and a further 20,000 indirect jobs by 2020.
‘The decision on the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre application was made following thorough consideration of all material issues, taking into account views of consultees, stakeholders and members of the public.’
WWF Scotland director Lang Banks said: ‘It’s kind of sad to think that Trump has nothing better to do than use his billions to try to undermine Scotland’s ambition of becoming a cleaner, greener, job-creating nation.
‘He may be happy wasting his own money but defending his legal action is likely to cost the Scottish taxpayer too.
‘We hope the court sees through his bluff and bluster and agrees that giving the go-ahead was the right decision.’