A leading Scottish conservation group condemned the decision to allow the development of a huge golf resort by controversial American millionaire Donald Trump.
The John Muir Trust said the approval set a precedent for the whole country, putting at risk Scotland’s landscape. John Swinney, Ssottish National Party cabinet secretary for finance and sustainable growth announced the go-ahead for the Trump plans today.
The £1bn plans for the Trump International Golf Links at Menie in Aberdeenshire had faced opposition from many groups, including the JMT and Ramblers’ Association in Scotland.
Helen McDade, the JMT’s head of policy, said: “This decision makes a mockery of the SNP Government’s commitment to sustainable development.
“The Government’s reasoning seems to be that it is OK to ignore any number of protections that are in place to safeguard Scotland’s environment, provided there is a big enough buck to be made at the end of it.
“This is a green light for development any place, any time, regardless of the consequences. Decisions such as this suggest that the planning system which has helped protect Scotland’s incomparable landscape is rapidly being eroded.”
Granting outline permission for the development, Mr Swinney said the sand dunes at the site and their wildlife would have to be protected.
Aberdeenshire Council’s leader Anne Robertson welcomed the decision. She said: “”I would like to take this opportunity to welcome this decision, as I truly believe a development of this type will bring significant benefits to the area, particularly in terms of jobs and tourism.
“The decision has been reached following a very thorough planning process that generated a huge amount of interest from groups and individuals – both in support and in objection to the application.”
But Ms McDade countered: “The Government is very keen to encourage people of Scottish descent to come from all over the world to the Year of the Homecoming. The question is will they find something Scots can be proud of?”
Conservation and outdoor groups have been the dissenting voice in the whole process, with the RSPB and Scottish Natural Heritage joining the JMT and RA in opposing the plans.
The SNP, Scottish Labour, the Conservatives and the majority of local councillors have all expressed their support of Trump’s plans, as have business leaders and tourism chiefs.
Martin Ford, a councillor who opposed Mr Trump’s plans, said: “”This is a very, very bad precedent indeed and sends out a bad message about the protection in Scotland of our natural heritage sites.
“It appears to me to be a vanity project.”
Mr Trump said: “We are greatly honoured by the positive decision and believe that the people of Scotland will be extremely happy with the final product.
“It will be a tremendous asset and source of pride for both Aberdeenshire and Scotland for many generations.”
OMR
06 November 2008Bought and sold for American gold. Plus ca change etc. The very people - Salmond and crew - who should have been standing up for Scotland have just contrived to overturn a properly and democratically reached decision (whether you agree with it or not) when faced with the lure of gold, sending a message loud and clear: come to Scotland and if you have money you don't need to worry about our rules - they only apply to poor folk. Shameful.