Aberdeenshire Council has granted Mr. Trump permission to include more land within his planned golf resort but it is owned by others and it may require the Council to approve compulsory purchase orders before it can be obtained.
Under Scottish law it is permissible to make an application to develop land which is owned by others. This is precisely what happened in Aberdeenshire this week when Mr. Trump gained Council approval to include within his planned development of the Menie Estate approximately 50 acres of land held in five different plots, all of which are owned by others.
At least two of these landowners are known to be implacable in their opposition to the Menie Estate development and, despite the best endeavours of the Trump organisation, are refusing to sell their land.
This raises the possibility of applications for compulsory purchase. Even though the Council has approved the plans for the development, it is thought that there is a large majority of councillors who would not support such a move which, ultimately, might lead to evictions.
Gareth Hoskins, the architect behind the development, has said that the extra land is ‘essential’ stating: “The decision has been taken to go forward with this, and if it is going to happen it has to be the best we can achieve.” www.trumpgolfscotland.com
Trump‘s son, Donald Jnr., said that the family would try to reach a deal with the current residents. George Sorial, the Trump Organisation‘s managing director of international development, added: "The discussions are ongoing, we are still talking to all the neighbours…if we can resolve this amicably and fairly, that‘s what we intend on doing."
But the local opposition has become better organised. “Opponents of the project want the council to vote against the use of compulsory purchase orders for commercial developments,” said Martin Glegg, co- ordinator of www.trippinguptrump.com