Former MSP and green activists poised to battle Trump for land

Trio all insist they have environmental uses for plot near proposed north-east golf resort

By Ryan Crighton

Published:

IN THE RUNNING: Shiona Baird, who says she would donate the site to the Scottish Wildlife Trust. Kevin Emslie

Sue Edwards: “maintain public access”

A former MSP and two environmentalists are among those lining up to battle Donald Trump for a tiny patch of council land earmarked for his Aberdeenshire golf resort.

Earlier this year, the tycoon was given outline permission to add five plots he does not own, including four houses, to his masterplan for the Menie Estate, near Aberdeen.

His efforts to buy the homes have been met with hostility from some residents, however, and five rival bidders have now registered an interest in the half-acre site.

The P&J can reveal former north-east Green MSP Shiona Baird is one of the people trying to outbid the Trump Organisation. Last night she confirmed her interest in the site, and vowed to donate it to the Scottish Wildlife Trust if her bid was successful.

She added: “I want this site to remain in public ownership, because it is an important access point to the Menie dunes.”

Earlier this year, eco-campaigner Sue Edwards said she wanted to buy the land to encourage whale and dolphin watching in the area. Mrs Edwards, Hillhead Croft, Chapel of Garioch, near Inverurie, said her bid “tied in” with her opposition to the Trump plans, but said that was not her primary motivation.

She said: “My main intention is to maintain free and unimpeded public access to this area of the dunes for the future, in line with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, for everyone, but especially for the purpose of carrying out cetacean watches from this part of the coast.”

The site is beside Leyton Cottage, one of the four homes now included in Mr Trump’s plans. It was bought in the 1970s for people visiting Menie Links to use as a car park before Balmedie Country Park opened.

Another green campaigner, David Milne, is also in the running for the site.

Health and safety consultant Mr Milne is one of the people refusing to sell his home, at nearby Hermit Point, to Mr Trump.

He said his bid was not an effort to block Mr Trump, but rather a “genuine attempt to preserve part of the environmental heritage”.

He added: “The intention would be to use it as an education site and possibly in the future to erect some form of shelter as a centre.” The Trump Organisation says the land will make a “significant contribution” to improving the design and operation of the championship golf course planned for the complex, which will also have a second course, a 450-bedroom hotel, 950 holiday homes and 500 houses.

A spokeswoman said the rival bids were a matter for the council to deal with.

The local authority’s Formartine area committee will discuss the plans in private on January 19.