Trump takes environmental concerns on board
Changes to golf course plans would reduce impact on sand dunes
Published:
Property tycoon Donald Trump appears to have bowed to pressure from environmentalists over his north-east golf resort.
It has emerged that “specific changes” have been made to plans for the course, near Balmedie.
The Trump Organisation has come up with amended plans, which would reduce the impact on the sweeping sand dunes at Menie Estate.
The changes centre on the part of the course designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest — which has been one of the biggest points of contention for opponents to the scheme.
A spokeswoman for the Trump Organisation stressed last night that the amended plans were still indicative only.
“They would, however, involve a significant reduction in the stabilisation required with specific changes to the back nine holes which are located on the SSSI,” she added. “This is in response to the environmental issues but will also enhance the course.”
The proposed changes are spelled out in a letter to Colin Bell, of the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals, from Ann Faulds of Dundas and Wilson, the commercial law firm representing Mr Trump. The directorate is responsible for dealing with planning and related appeals in Scotland.
Ms Faulds says the drawing accompanying the original application has been “superseded by a new drawing showing a course layout by Dr Martin Hawtree.”
She added: “Accordingly, my clients have instructed the withdrawal of the application for detailed planning permission from Aberdeenshire Council.”
The Scottish Government called in the planning application after it was refused by Aberdeenshire councillors late last year.
It will now be decided by ministers following a public local inquiry in June.
Groups including the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) are opposed to Mr Trump’s plans to build the back nine holes of one of his two proposed courses on the SSSI.
James Reynolds, of RSPB Scotland, gave the amendment a cautious welcome. He said the society’s aim was to have the golf course moved off the SSSI altogether.
“We have only just learned of these changes and, at this point, do not have full details of the new proposal,” he said.
“What I can say is that anything that reduces the environmental impact would be welcomed. However, the minimum that we’re looking for is the proposal to be moved off the SSSI.”
The original plans would have seen Mr Trump’s team stabilise 239,198sq yards of sand dunes, leaving the bulk of the SSSI untouched.
Mr Trump has argued that his development would enhance the beauty of the area.
The US tycoon wants to build two golf courses, a 450-room hotel, 500 houses and nearly 1,000 holiday homes on Menie Estate.
Readers' Comments
What I haven't seen yet and I would like very much to is their plans for the necessary roads to access the complex. The famous 5.000 visitors are going to mean quite a few cars too, and I don't have to spell the state of that section of the road, do I? Or is that infraestructure going to be provide by the Council?
Vincent Mc Dee
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All Trump has done is withdrawn a detailed application. We don't know if new plans for the golf courses are better for the environment. But we do know that they still involve the stabilisation of a SSSI - and the reason for the SSSI listing is the fact that the dunes are mobile. Better? We don't know yet.
Debra Storr
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This looks very like a slick PR move with no details being released to anyone as far as we are aware. Without details no one can make an informed comment. It still does not explain why they think they can get away with constructing a new town in an area not zoned for construction of any type.
David Milne
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