After a lengthy debate Aberdeenshire Council’s Infrastructure Committee has rejected the plans for the Trump International Golf Links. It took a casting vote from the committee chairman to break the deadlock after the initial vote was 7-7.
“Mr. Trump is shocked, extremely disappointed and dismayed at this decision,” said George Sorial, managing director of Trump International Golf Resorts, according to agency reports. “This is certainly not something we expected.”
The Infrastructure Committee’s vote overturns the decision of the council’s Formartine area committee which had approved plans for the new golf resort a few days earlier, Golf Business News, 21st November. http://www.golfbusinessnews.com/news/news.asp?storyid=4221
The £1 billion (€1.4 billion, US$2 billion) golf resort included two 18-hole courses, a luxurious 450-bedroom hotel, 950 holiday homes, 36 golf villas and 500 homes costing from £400,000 pounds (€557,000, US$800,000) to more than £1million pounds (€1.4 million, US$2 million) each.
Trump supporters said the resort would benefit Scotland’s economy, create 6,000 jobs and boost tourism. But environmentalists and some local residents continued to oppose it.
Donald Turmp, who still has the opportunity to appeal now said to be looking at alternative sites in other European countries, including Ireland where Rev. Robert Coulter, a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly, has already indicated he would be warmly welcomed.
Mr Coulter, who represents North Antrim, suggested that his constituency has plenty of room for the Trump development, according the BBC news reports.
Trump International Golf Links www.trumpgolfscotland.com