Trump Tee'd off over course

A planned golf course and hotel complex by the American Billionaire property "tycoon" Donald Trump has been rejected by Aberdeenshire council. In a country where even the smallest village has a links, Trump wanted to build two; not to mention a 450 bed hotel, 100 holiday flats and a 500 house gated community to help fund the project. However, the planning application was rejected by the narrowest of margins.

While many people in Aberdeen and the surrounding area are supportive of the Trump plan, others have voiced grave doubts about the need for the development and the environmental impact the development would have on the nearby Balmedie beach which includes a site of special scientific interest (SSSI).

After the decision by Aberdeenshire council's infrastructure committee was announced, George Sorial (Trump's mouth on the ground) said "The members of the council's infrastructure committee have chosen to protect a pile of sand."

Situated just north of Aberdeen, Balmedie beach is a favourite with families (weather permitting or not). Commenting on the development a spokesperson for the Scottish Wildlife Trust said that it would destroy "one of the top five dune habitats in Britain."

Michael Forbes, a local fisherman and farmer who owns a small farm in the middle of the proposed complex, has become something of a hero with his refusal to sell nine hectares of land to the bombastic Trump. During the planning process Trump had described Forbe's property as a "disgrace" the Trump team were also accused of being both "arrogant and patronising". Defending their approach Sorial stated "There's a view we are arrogant. We are not arrogant. We set certain standards. It may be incomprehensible to smaller minds, but we have always set high standards. We presented them with a plan and hoped they could open their minds, but it was too much for them."

In recent years Aberdeen City and Shire have been keen to drive a road through the local greenbelt, the decision by the Shire to knock back Trump's over hyped driving range will surely be welcomed by visitors to Balmedie and the surrounding dunes.

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