The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Lawyers await substation battle
Trump plans to fight Vattenfall’s plans for land-based plant at Blackdog
The Trump Organisation is ready to use the courts to block a key part of a controversial offshore wind development.
American billionaire Donald Trump has already mounted a legal challenge against the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC) on the grounds it will jeopardise the development of his £750million golf resort at Menie, north of Aberdeen.
A vital part of the EOWDC infrastructure is a proposedelectricity substation at Blackdog.
The £230million, 11-turbine renewable energy testbed needs the substation to feed power into the National Grid.
But residents fear that disturbing the old landfill site in Balmedie as part of theschemecould posedangers.
Developer Vattenfall has said the wind technology research centre cannot go ahead without it, although it does have an alternative site in mind.
George Sorial, executive vice- president of the Trump Organisation, said that based on the level of local opposition, he expected a legal challenge if Aberdeenshire councillors give the substation planning permission.
Mr Trump was ready to follow the same avenue need be, he added.
“We lodged an objection to it and if the Aberdeenshire
if Council Formartine area committee approve it we will challenge that proposal,” Mr Sorial said.
“Our position remains firm. We are in it for the long run. Be very clear – we are looking to prevent the construc t i o n o f the EOWDC and are willing to do what is necessary to push that forward.”
Protesters in Blackdog revealed a legal challenge was a possibility.
Resident Edna Booth, 80, said: “It has beenonour mind, I must admit. We might well do it, with a bit of help.”
Much will depend on the outcome of the October 29 area committee meeting.
MrsBooth, wholives 500 yards from the site, said she fears that if planning permission is rejected, Vattenfall will challenge the ruling, putting the application in the hands of Scottish ministers.