Latest news
On 3rd November Cabinet Secretary John Swinney announced the go-ahead for Donald Trump's golf, hotel and housing development in Aberdeenshire. You can read the public inquiry report and other documents at this Scottish Government website. For press reaction, see articles at the bottom of this page.
In spring 2007, American property tycoon, Donald Trump, applied to build a huge golf development on the Menie Estate, Balmedie, Aberdeenshire. On 29th November 2007, the Aberdeenshire Council Infrastructure & Services Committee unexpectedly refused his application and it was later called in by Scottish Ministers for their scrutiny.
The public inquiry into the application ran 10th June-4th July 2008 in Aberdeen. Ramblers Scotland led the outdoor recreation opposition at the public inquiry, along with ScotWays and the Aberdeenshire Local Outdoor Access Forum. Our evidence was heard on 25th June.
We had the opportunity to cross-examine Mr Trump on 10th June and in relation to public access the following issues were raised:
Mr Trump claimed that he would “environmentally enhance” the area by building his development, even though his own environmental statement described it as currently being in a “pristine” condition.
Mr Trump's intention was for there to be security gates around the development, making it a gated community. Members of the public would be stopped and not permitted entry.
Mr Trump’s opinion was that if people were paying a lot of money to play the golf course, travelling from all over the world, then they would not expect to see members of the public walking on the course. He appeared not to understand the statutory right of access to cross golf courses within the Land Reform (Scotland) Act, but stated that he would abide by the law.
The developers had failed to take account of the numbers of people currently taking access over the site, or to plan for the proposed 4-5,000 people who would be resident on or visiting the site in the future, some of whom would undoubtedly wish to walk to the beach.
The proposed development
The proposed development of two golf courses, a 450-room hotel, 500 houses, 950 holiday apartments, 36 golf villas, driving range, conference centre and accommodation for 400 staff would affect a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and lie within an area designated as Undeveloped Coast and partly within an Area of Landscape Significance according to the Aberdeenshire development plan. While we are not opposed in principle to the development of a new golf course in this area, Ramblers Scotland objected to the application on various grounds, including the threat to recreational access and the landscape impacts of a development on such a massive scale in an area of wild land.
Unfortunately many local and national politicians were enthusiastic supporters of the scheme, dreaming of hordes of rich golfers flying into Aberdeen to enjoy the latest Trump extravaganza. All efforts by environmental organisations to persuade Donald Trump to modify his plans to take account of the environmental constraints failed.
The public inquiry also gave us an opportunity to raise the question of whether our coastline as a whole is adequately protected. Many other European countries have designated coastal protection zones where there is a presumption against such new developments. By granting permission for Donald Trump’s plans, the government has highlighted the threat to our coastal environment by new development. We are now campaigning to protect all of Britain’s coastline for us to access and enjoy.
What you can do
Outline planning permission has been granted, but much of the detail is still to be worked out. You can keep an eye on applications as they arise at the Aberdeenshire Council planning information website below.
If you are concerned about any aspect of this development, please write to your own MSP at firstname.lastname.msp@scottish.parliament.uk.
Ramblers Scotland’s Legal Defence Fund appeal is also available if you would like to make a contribution to cover the legal costs involved in us taking part in the inquiry. Further information can be found here: http://www.ramblers.org.uk/scotland/accessN/Appeal/ramblersappeal.pdf
Public inquiry statements from Ramblers Scotland
Statement of Case
Ramblers Scotland precognition
Final submission
Public Inquiry documents
Menie Estate Public Inquiry
More information
Ramblers response to original consultation, May 2007
Aberdeenshire Council planning information on this proposal
Joint letter from environmental NGOs to John Swinney, Dec 2007
Relevant press articles
Businesses rally in Trump’s support, Guardian 09/09/2007
The fisherman standing in way of Donald Trump’s golf course, Times 10/10/2007
Bunkered, Scotland on Sunday 16/12/2007
Trump has made us look like a nation of parochial bumblers, Sunday Herald 16/12/2007
The world's greatest golf course: take it or leave it, bullish Trump tells public inquiry, Guardian 11/06/2008
Scotland’s gullible politicians are the victims of a colossal Trump try-on, Guardian 13/06/2008
‘A solution can be found’ for Ramblers, P&J 26/06/2008
Planning officers accused of bias, P&J 04/07/2008
'World's best golf course' approved - complete with 23-acre eyesore, Guardian 4/11/2008
Jobs prove trump card as £1bn golf plan goes ahead, Herald 4/11/2008
Greens vow to foil Trump's Open plan, Sunday Times 9/11/2008
