Thousands protest Trump plans Planning: Council braced to sift and process responses to president’ s estate proposals

More than 3,000 people have objected to a plan to build 500 homes near Donald Trump’s golf course.

The Trump Estate, which was unveiled in July, includes proposals to build luxury housing and 50 hotel cottages at Menie, near Balmedie.

They were accompanied by predictions of 2,000 construction jobs, almost 300 full-time posts and £250million for the region’s economy.

However, soon after the plans were revealed, old battle lines were drawn between the anti-golf course campaigners and Trump International Golf Links.

There were 85 responses to the plans accepted by Aberdeenshire Council until the Monday deadline, with 82 of them objections. Opponents also submitted 3,026 official letters of objection, which will have to be processed by the council.

Among concerns raised in the responses is that the plans do not include affordable or social housing.

A template letter submitted on the website by many objectors states: “The proposed homes would fail to attract much-needed workers such as teachers and nurses to the area and they would also not be suitable for young families.”

East Garioch councillor Martin Ford, one of the billionaire’s most outspoken critics, said he believes the number of signatures is a Scottish record.

The authority is also considering the 19,000signature petition posted on the 38 Degrees site by local campaign group Tripping up Trump, to decide whether it is valid. Despite the level of opposition, the Trump organisation has dismissed the petition.

Sarah Malone, vice president at Trump International Golf Links Aberdeen, said: “The premise of the petition is fundamentally flawed.

“Trump Aberdeen already has outline planning approval for its plans, which include residential homes, hotel and leisure accommodation and a range of resort facilities that will further enhance the world-class golf course on property and improve amenities in the area.

“Politically motivated and vexatious objections are not relevant within Scottish planning law. This project has tremendous support regionally, nationally and internationally and already has several hundred registered notes of interest.”

The housing plans are due to go before the council planning committee next month.

LUXURY: An artist’s impression of potential designs for some of the homes planned for The Trump Estate near Balmedie