Trump International’s controversial housing development could be approved by north-east councillors, despite claims it “significantly breaches” policy.
Councillors on the Formartine area committee are being recommended to give their preliminary backing to the Trump Estate plans, which would consist of 550 homes at Menie, near Balmedie.
A report which will be discussed by the committee claims the planning permission in principle proposal is a “significant” breach of planning policy and does not comply with the previously granted outline planning permission for a golf resort.
North-east council will be ‘laughing stock’ if it approves Trump Estate plans, opponents claim
However, the recommendation is in favour of the proposal, despite non-compliance with policy.
The report states that Aberdeenshire Council’s planning service considers the economic impact of the homes to have “considerable merit”.
Planners have stated that they cannot fully support the application because there are a number of issues that still need to be addressed.
However, the report adds: “The consultees have clarified that the outstanding requirements could be addressed and for this reason, the planning service consider it
acceptable in these circumstances to allow these matters to be delegated to
enable the applicant to provide all the required information.
“Should these matters not be addressed within a reasonable timescale, the planning service would refer this application back to full council.”
There are a record number of 2,918 letters of objection to the application, one letter including a petition with 18,722 names against granting planning permission.
Trump International previously threatened to walk away if the scheme was rejected.
A final decision will be taken by full council later this year.
