Plans for ‘Trump village’ in motion as new hearing set

● Bid to build 500 homes, gym and equestrian centre at estate

Donald Trump’s bid to build a new £150 million village by his Aberdeenshire golf course has taken a step forward.

Plans are in place to build 500 homes, 50 hotel cottages, a gym, equestrian centre, shops and restaurants on the Menie Estate next to Trump International Golf Links near Balmedie.

The new homes on Trump Estate will range from twobedroom properties opening at £295,000 to five-bedroom homes starting at £1.3m.

It has now been announced a site visit and pre-determination hearing will take place on 12 December to further understand the scale and scope of the proposals.

The Trump Organisation is expected to make representations at the public forum, with councillors able to ask questions about the development.

Members of the public, who have already made official representations as part of the planning process, will also be invited to put forward their views. Last month it was reported 3,000 people had formally objected to the Menie development, with another 19,000 signing an online petition being considered by the council. The total is understood to be a new record for objections to a Scottish planning application.

No decision will be taken at the pre-determination meeting, but a note of proceedings will be passed to councillors charged with making the decision on the Trump Estate.

The development comes as it emerged the Trump Organisation plans to build 87 homes on land near Trump Turnberry Golf Course.

Trump’s second son, Eric, has been personally overseeing the project for the past ten months. Last month it was reported that Trump Turnberry lost £3.5m in 2017 – its fourth consecutive year in the red.

In Aberdeenshire, it has been claimed the development will bring about 2,000 jobs during construction, almost 300 full-time posts and contribute £250m to the region.

Tourism leaders in Aberdeenshire earlier said the development would “strengthen the appeal” of the country’s north-east.

Gordon MP Colin Clark described it as “very good news for the economy”.

The pre-determination hearing will take place at Ellon Community Campus starting from 6pm.