Trump given green light for the mother of all golf courses
PLANS for a second course at a Donald Trump Scottish golf resort have been given the go-ahead.
The 18-hole MacLeod Course is to be built beside the original links at Balmedie, Aberdeenshire, which opened in 2012 following a long, controversial planning process.
It is named after the US president’s mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, who was born on Lewis but later emigrated to New York, where Mr Trump later made his fortune in real estate.
The original course attracted criticism over its location due to the special scientific significance of shifting sand dunes. But it was eventually approved by Scottish ministers.
Aberdeenshire Council’s Formartine area committee yesterday approved the plans for the second course by eight votes to four.
Councillors heard the MacLeod Course will share the existing clubhouse and associated facilities of the first course.
Councillors said the principle of locating a further golf course within the Balmedie coastal landscape was long established and the developer had provided a layout that ‘would integrate into the landscape and address environmental concerns adequately’.
They were advised the proposal would help promote the NorthEast as a key tourism destination. The project had continued to demonstrate a ‘considerable commitment’ to invest in the region, councillors said.
Although there were no objections from Scottish Natural Heritage, it had said parts of the course could have been redesigned to make them less susceptible to future coastal erosion.
Committee chairman Isobel Davidson said: ‘This matter was given due consideration by memenvironmental
‘A considerable commitment’
bers and will enable the applicant to proceed with their plans for a second golf course at Menie.
‘However, there is a clear conflict between economic benefit and public interest. It will be vital that the conditions to strengthen the management plan added by the committee are strictly adhered to.’
The decision comes just a day before talks at Aberdeenshire Council over plans for the president’s former company to build 550 houses nearby.
Trump International Golf Links wants to build the homes alongside community facilities, shops, offices and restaurants near his course north of Aberdeen.
Mr Trump handed control of his golf empire to his sons when he became President in 2017. The company also owns courses at Turnberry, Ayrshire, and Doonbeg, Co Clare, Ireland.