‘Hammer blow’ to Trump project
Majority of Scots oppose use of compulsory purchase orders to buy land at Menie Estate – poll
Published:
Almost three-quarters of Scots oppose using compulsory purchase orders to pave the way for the Trump golf resort, according to research.
A YouGov poll has revealed that 74% were against the use of the powers to help the tycoon buy more land for the £1billion complex at the Menie Estate at Balmedie.
Just 13% supported the idea.
The Press and Journal revealed in July that the American property magnate had asked Aberdeenshire Council to use compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) to buy four homes and two plots of land on the estate.
The request has since been suspended to allow for further discussions – but the tycoon’s team has said it remains on the table.
Campaign group Tripping up Trump and the Scottish Green Party commissioned the study, surveying 1,114 Scots.
Martin Glegg, group co-ordinator of Tripping Up Trump (TUT), said the poll was a “hammer blow” to the project.
Scottish Green Party leader Patrick Harvie MSP said: “Compulsory purchase was meant for public projects that serve the common good, not as a lever the rich can use to pry people from their homes for profit.”
Mr Trump’s development director, George Sorial, said: “It seems like the Green Party and TUT are the only ones who continue to talk about the use of CPO at Menie Estate.
“We have moved on and are focused on putting people to work and making a positive contribution to the north-east and Scottish economy.”
He added that the survey was a waste of Green Party resources, which should be ploughed into projects that protect the environment.
It is understood the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) could meanwhile launch an investigation into Aberdeenshire Council’s most senior planner.
The RTPI is examining a complaint from former member Bob Marshall, of Glasgow, claiming that planning director Christine Gore failed to act with integrity and independence while handling the Trump Organisation’s application.
A spokesman for the council said: “If the RTPI choose to investigate these accusations we will co-operate with them fully, confident that the director of planning and environmental services will be found to have acted in the best interests of the council at all times and in line with the highest professional standards.”
Mr Trump’s Menie Estate project, involving two golf courses, a 450-bedroom hotel, 950 holiday homes and 500 houses, was called in by the Scottish Government shortly after it was rejected by the council’s infrastructure services committee.
Ministers backed the scheme in principle in November last year, after a lengthy public inquiry.
Readers' Comments
This is not finished yet Donald will not give in that easy. As he said in his book ''Think Big and Kick A-S-S''
Robert Horne
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"Mr Trump’s development director, George Sorial, said: “It seems like the Green Party and TUT are the only ones who continue to talk about the use of CPO at Menie Estate." Aherhm...? And also quite a healthy majority of scots in general. It at least gives us some hope in the humanity of the people at large. And don't forget Sorial, you were the ones who tabled the notion and still refuse to remove it! What kind of people do you think we are to forget such a thing?!
manniewe naename
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So a massive 0.0002% of the Scottish population who were questioned, equates to this being a 'hammer blow'? Haha, that truly is spin of this highest order.
Joe Bloggs
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My goodness an almost balanced report from the P&J with regard to Trumpton, how on earth did this manage to get through?
Dave McGregor
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"So a massive 0.0002% of the Scottish population who were questioned, equates to this being a 'hammer blow'? Haha, that truly is spin of this highest order. Joe Bloggs" ------------- Maybe, but how much spin is trump putting on a far less percentage. He's quite content to try to convince the majority of folk they should be under a rock for not agreeing with him and that the "vast majority" are behind it. This poll is far more robust than the "vast majority" of polls used to spin the running of a country for god sake. Trump knows this, yet he'd still smile at you and tell you to get back under your rock. Which, by the way is where he actually would like to see "Joe Bloggs" coz that's who's against this. Do you do Irony, Joe?
manniewe naename
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Have we all forgotten "Aberdeen and shire. A brighter future." There is no chance of that if you are a TUT supporter. They are the ones who want to keep people under a rock. This is not a balanced vote for the majority of people in the N.E. who see Mr. Trumps plans as a wonderful opportunity for Aberdeen and Shire to prosper and have a brighter future. Optimistic lassie.
kay bremner
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Look into your crystal ball, what do you see? I'll tell you then. No oil , no coal , no industry, no jobs, no prosperity - and a big well done to all you people so against Trump. Who really cares on his agenda, we need something more than just the HIghlands and Balmoral
Scott Ure
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how cool does T.U.T sound ! ? i hope a pro group called " Trump Is Tops " starts up.....
daz wind turbine
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Ah for god sake. How simple does it need to get for you to get the message. He wints to throw folk ooto thir HOOSE! I mean, nivir myn getting past planning to destroy the doons and the colossal housing plan but eviction, comon? I could have lived with it if he'd not threatened that. Just how many folk would you be willing to sell Kay? I am not a TUT supporter. I am a people supporter. Sorry, I just can't help sticking my head out from underneath the rock from time to time. And by the way it's the planning powers of Scotland the man wishes to abuse not the north easts'. Get a grip you selfish lot. If you expect the rest of the coutry to just stand by quietly while the countrys system is abused, thereby putting the rest of us at risk, then think again optimistic lassie. Oh, and an aside, I could not watch as an innocent familys possesions are turfed into lorrys and the occupants forcebly removed or arrested for the gross crime of wanting to live in peace. Scott, there will be oil and gas for the next 40-50 yrs if that's all your worried about. Thereafter the lucrative industry of carbon capture whith the european counrties trading in getting rid of the stuff. And guess what? Here's us with great big hewage holes in the grun all ready for filling up. Then of course, Scotland as a whole, the mecca of renewable energy, the gold mine that it is that's going to make us all rich.
manniewe naename
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By the way Scott. Whats so great about Balmoral? That's just somewhere else we're not alowed to go!
manniewe naename
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"Look into your crystal ball, what do you see?" A golf course that's going to save us all from eternal damnation? Hallelujah!!!
Dave McGregor
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Just for curiosity sake, this marvelous golf course aimed at an all world clientelle, just how do they get here??? Is Trump going to fly them all in on his private jet, then helicopter them over to Balmedie because the airport here is pathetic, the roads are pathetic so how are they getting here to play on this "Great" golf course. Never mind the weather. All this money being spent on it and it could probably only be used for 6 months of the year. What with rain, mist haar and wind especially on the east coast of Scotland. Still think of all these jobs- what jobs apart from the building works. OK Hotel staff maybe cleaners for the big houses. Then what???
minnie moan a lot
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Look into your crystal ball, what do you see? I'll tell you then. No oil , no coal , no industry, no jobs, no prosperity - ...........No point in 2 golf courses a big expensive hotel and 1500 new houses then???? as no one will have the money to use/buy them :-)
Keith Stirton
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the golf is only a side show Trump wants the casino thats where he is going to make his money -also the Trump Development will mostly employ foreigners and i bet now very very few if any local or come to that Scottish people will end up with a job within the Trump Development
Thomas Owenson
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Hammer blow is it, oops i missed it. Must have swung low. Pathetic Airport Pathetic Roads All down to the greens and the rest of the people the canna abide someone looking to a future. These scemes have all been put in jeopardy by people that really have no idea and no insight into the future economics of Aberdeen/shire. The holes in the ground in the north sea were going to be filled though Peterhead power station, but oops who put the spanner in the works there. There always seems to be money for golf, just ask a golfer they will find it no matter there financial situation Scotland will not be oil rich because in time after the UK government has spent the oil revenue and the greens have refused any expansion to Aberdeen harbour. The ships and the crews placing so much revenue into our economy will be gone to bigger countries who have looked to the future. As for the rain and the haar they are nothing but challenges to the golfing community. So what have we to look forward to a landscape filled with wind turbines that really for there price do little to solve anything, and we can become a dumping ground for any substances other Governments do not want in their country. wahoo, what a future. A no one golf course will not save us but the many that are wanting to be built within the shire may.
Neil Fraser
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I agree with Dave McG...How on earth did this get thru? Seems like P&J are hedging their bets now?
wind bag
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