We are tired of fighting over golf plan, says Trump team
businessman’s representatives touch down for north-east mission
Published:
Donald Trump’s team has moved to make peace with opponents of his north-east golf resort plans – by declaring that they are tired of fighting.
Five members of Trump International Golf Links Scotland, including the developer’s son – Donald Trump jun – toured Royal Aberdeen Golf Club yesterday.
They were on a fact-finding mission as work on what they hope will be the world’s greatest golf course begins at the Menie Estate, Balmedie.
The detailed masterplan for the site, which was submitted last month, includes four homes – Mill of Menie, Menie Fishing Station, Hermit Point, Leyton Cottage – not owned by the businessman.
The owners have so far refused to sell and opponents of the plan claim that this month Mr Trump will ask Aberdeenshire Council to use compulsory purchase powers to evict them.
However, Mr Trump jun dismissed the claims last night.
“I assure you that we are not going back to the council in March,” he told the Press and Journal.
“We are not the antagonists here. We have not brought up CPOs (compulsory purchase orders) in six months.
“Right now we are looking forward to building, getting machinery on the site and starting to create the vision my father had for this land when he bought the estate.
“It is great that the project is under way and we are focusing on the positive aspects going forward.”
Asked if another offer would be made to the homeowners, George Sorial, Mr Trump’s head of international development, said: “Let’s just wait and see.”
He added: “We don’t want to keep fighting.
“At a personal level I don’t enjoy it, organisationally it wastes time – we just want to get on with the job.”
John Munro, who lives at Leyton Cottage, rejected Mr Sorial’s call last night.
“To be quite honest, I am not really that interested,” he said. “What will be, will be – I have no plans to sell.”
David Milne, of Hermit Point, said: “They started this fight – but obviously we will listen to them.”
Mr Sorial and Mr Trump jun were joined at Royal Aberdeen – which was built in 1780 and is the sixth-oldest course in the world – by project architect Joshua Seidner, project director Neil Hobday and head greenkeeper Paul O'Connor.
Mr Trump jun added: “It is amazing to think that people were playing on this course in the 18th century.
“What we are building will complement places like this and hopefully bring even more golfers to the area.
“Seeing one of Scotland’s original links courses up close is fantastic and I think we are going to have a great relationship with Royal Aberdeen.”
As well as the greatest links course in the world, Mr Trump wants to build a 450-bedroom hotel, 950 holiday homes and 500 houses.
The plans, which also include land for a second course, were approved in principle by the Scottish Government last November.
Mr Sorial also revealed that the team’s thoughts are now turning to the hotel with work on the first phase, the golf course, under way.
“We are now starting to focus on the hotel and the residential, because the golf is now moving forward,” he said.
“Everything is being designed with hosting the Open in mind.”
Readers' Comments
This is poor journalism from a slightly desperate P@J. Trumps heavy handed eviction threat tactics have failed and now he wants to achieve the same results ( evictions) but with a softly softly approach. Thats the actual stoty here. He cant go to ra Cooncil as he knows the CPO's ( Compulsory Purchase) would be political suicide for them. Things is, rumour has it he has been told he cant build the hugely profitable housing scheme until this pest of a golf cours is built, and he cant build the course until he evicts these homeowners 'Clearances style'. He is up a gum tree for now. Not even Alisdair Campell could put a good spin on Team-Trump's options... And note not a single word of compromise in his plans to evict the council tax payers . Not one word. Like Sir Woody, this millionaire is 'not for changing'.
wind bag
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Why can’t Trump just go ahead build his golf course and leave the 4 houses alone? He dose not own the land nor do the 4 owners want to sell to him yet he persists in waving the CPO card. Why? Is it just to intimidate these people or to show just how big and arrogant a man he really is. They must be hoping the dust has settled before having another go.
Robert Horne
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"We just want to get on with the job" Of destroying a 4000 year old ecosystem to replace it with houses and turf. Poor Trump International have such a hard time being resisted by local people who are desperate to keep their homes. Do you think that the residents are enjoying every moment of this? I imagine that they are pretty fed up of fighting.
George Matthews
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Until either the Trump Organisation says clearly that they will NEVER ask for CPOs against my constituents at Menie or my Aberdeenshire councillor colleagues make it clear that such an move would be rejected by them, these families will continue to live with uncertainty and pressure. This is intolerable. OK Trump now says he'll not ask in March (whoopee - that's no CPO request for the next 22 days!) But April, May, June, July .....
Debra Storr
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Until either the Trump Organisation says clearly that they will NEVER ask for CPOs against my constituents at Menie or my Aberdeenshire councillor colleagues make it clear that such an move would be rejected by them, these families will continue to live with uncertainty and pressure. This is intolerable. OK Trump now says he'll not ask in March (whoopee - that's no CPO request for the next 22 days!) But April, May, June, July .....
Debra Storr
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An Englisman's home is his castle, A scotsman's home is up for grabs by any one with the money that can sweet talk a council..
Lord Lucan
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Well isn't it sad the Trumps are tired of fighting, how do they think the families that they want evicted feel. There is no doubt in my mind that we are all being lulled into silence and the evictions will be carried out when we drop our guard, After all haven't the plans for the golf course that includes using other peoples property already been submitted to the council.
Christina Crosley
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David Milne and the others stand by you word don't sell it's just a trick of Trumps. Mr Milne I have seen your property with it's exceptional views and there is no amount of money in this world that could buy a view like that
Michael Bruce
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Trump junior, reinforced the Trump Organisation's desire and threat to use Compulsory Purchase Orders to evict the families, by stating in the Scotsman newspaper four months ago, “it is something that remains on the table”. They are a bunch of liars and would rob you of your last breath.
Sean Ashley
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Lets hope that the Trumps don't comandeer more innocent school children to help them continue to vandalise a site of special scientific interest for a housing development that no one wants.
bill boggia
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B Boggia, these kids where learning a valuable lesson here about tradition. This was a much enjoyed day out for the kids, ,so leave them out of this no matter what.
Neil Fraser
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The kids did not learn about tradition, they were fooled by the Trump Organisation into destroying a natural habitat.
Sean Ashley
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Wise up S Ashely, really no knowledge at all have you. These kids did have a fun day out on the dunes and yes planting this grass is an old tradition
Neil Fraser
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There were hundreds of different things the children could have done as an outdoor learning opportunity, that would also have been fun. Planting marram grass may be or may not be, an age old tradition. And was only described and resurrected as such to aid the public relations of the Trump Organisation. I think you are the one who needs to wise up, and may I suggest you also learn how to spell you stupid man.
Sean Ashley
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S Ashely Marram grass planting was bought back a long time before Trump, So another anti Trump person who cannot bring and argument to the table without use of the kids or insults. The main thing in my book was the FACT the kids had fun, and enjoyed a day out on the dunes. Regardless of what either side thinks of Trump. So leave the kids out of this argument, they are the innocent in all this. There is no place in the argument that should bring them into it.
Neil Fraser
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Unfortunately Neil Fraser, you again fail to see the truthful and bigger picture. The kids are innocent, I did not say that they were not. But it was the Trump Organisation who had, "use of the kids", (your quote). I have also, in my years never heard of anyone planting marram grass in Aberdeenshire, and I know many, many people. Balmedie Primary School should have taken a much more informed decision in view of the consultations and reports that several qualified organisations, such as Scottish Natural Heritage have made. And with regard to insults, Donald Trump's vicious attack on Mike Forbes or today by Neil Hobday against David Milne, really does not compare. You don't even have the intelligence to hide your selective bias.
Sean Ashley
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Grass planting is an old tradition, Did you really hear what D Milne said, goes two ways,D Milne did seem to want his moment of fame again, at someone else's expense
Neil Fraser
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Yes I know what David Milne said, and it was in no way insulting, he behaved as the gentleman that he is, despite the personal attack from Neil Hobday. And as your so concerned, "at someone else's expense", the Milne family were invited to the planning exhibition at the Udny Arms Hotel. Lets hope the Udny Arms asked for payment in advance, as TIGLS didn't pay their bills for a previous exhibition.
Sean Ashley
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