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Inquiry into £1bn Trump golf plan Trump 'disappointed' over inquiry
(about 6 hours later)
A public inquiry will be held into Donald Trump's application to build a £1bn golf resort in Aberdeenshire. The US tycoon Donald Trump has described as "disappointing" the decision to hold a public inquiry into his £1bn golf resort application.
Finance Secretary John Swinney said the US billionaire's plans raised issues of importance which required consideration at a national level. Finance Secretary John Swinney said the billionaire's plans raised issues of importance which required consideration at a national level.
Ministers called in the planning application for the development at Balmedie, Aberdeenshire, in December.Ministers called in the planning application for the development at Balmedie, Aberdeenshire, in December.
The Trump Organisation said it was "disappointing" news but stressed that it would not give up on the plans. Mr Trump said he would seek a different location if the process took too long.
Mr Trump wants to build two courses, a hotel and housing on the Menie Estate, north of Aberdeen. He wants to build two courses, a hotel and housing on the Menie Estate, north of Aberdeen.
The plans were narrowly rejected by Aberdeenshire Council and have received strong opposition from local and environmental groups.The plans were narrowly rejected by Aberdeenshire Council and have received strong opposition from local and environmental groups.
I am determined that there should be no unnecessary delay in considering this application John SwinneyFinance SecretaryI am determined that there should be no unnecessary delay in considering this application John SwinneyFinance Secretary
Mr Swinney said: "This application raises issues of importance that require consideration at a national level.Mr Swinney said: "This application raises issues of importance that require consideration at a national level.
"I have now been able to evaluate fully the options open to us to ensure that ministers can give proper consideration to this major and controversial application."I have now been able to evaluate fully the options open to us to ensure that ministers can give proper consideration to this major and controversial application.
"Given the nature of the application and the considerable public interest it is important that the process to examine the issues is as efficient, transparent and inclusive as possible.""Given the nature of the application and the considerable public interest it is important that the process to examine the issues is as efficient, transparent and inclusive as possible."
'Experienced reporter'
Mr Swinney explained: "For those reasons I have determined that there should be a public local inquiry, under the stewardship of a very experienced reporter.Mr Swinney explained: "For those reasons I have determined that there should be a public local inquiry, under the stewardship of a very experienced reporter.
"There is already a large amount of information on the application in the public domain and I would expect the reporter to take full account of that and to focus the inquiry on the issues that are in dispute."There is already a large amount of information on the application in the public domain and I would expect the reporter to take full account of that and to focus the inquiry on the issues that are in dispute.
This is a regrettable set-back but we are not going to give up before the finishing line when the prize for Scotland is so important George SorialTrump Organisation 'No choice'
"I have now asked the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA) to convene an early meeting of the parties to inform the preparation of a definitive timetable for handling the case."I have now asked the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA) to convene an early meeting of the parties to inform the preparation of a definitive timetable for handling the case.
"I am determined that there should be no unnecessary delay in considering this application and will make my decision within 28 days of receiving the DPEA report.""I am determined that there should be no unnecessary delay in considering this application and will make my decision within 28 days of receiving the DPEA report."
Mr Trump's spokesman George Sorial said: "Today's announcement is obviously disappointing for the Trump Organisation and Donald Trump has carefully deliberated over the next steps. However, Mr Trump told BBC Scotland: "It's sad ... it's too bad.
"He is not a quitter and he has decided that, given the exceptional level of positive feedback and overwhelming support he has received from the people of Scotland, he will continue to work with everyone involved to turn his plans into reality. "I'm committed to the project for now but if the process takes too long, I'll really have no choice but to go some place else.
"Our key concern is over timescales. We need to know how much longer we will have to wait. We have already committed significant investment to this project and with each passing day we are losing money." "I don't mind the public hearing, in fact I think that's a positive thing as long as it can go quickly.
'Fiercely proud' "But if it doesn't go fairly quickly it just doesn't make sense to hang in."
He added: "This is a regrettable set-back but we are not going to give up before the finishing line when the prize for Scotland is so important.
"If this was going to be easy anyone could do it. However, in 10 years or in 50 years we want to look back and say that it was worth it. Mr Trump wants to build something that Scotland and the Trump Organisation can be fiercely proud of for generations."
The leader of Aberdeenshire Council, Anne Robertson, said the development and the economic impact was important.The leader of Aberdeenshire Council, Anne Robertson, said the development and the economic impact was important.
Mr Trump flew into Aberdeen to unveil the golf projectMr Trump flew into Aberdeen to unveil the golf project
She said: "We look forward to the publication of the timetable and ultimately the final decision."She said: "We look forward to the publication of the timetable and ultimately the final decision."
Protest group Sustainable Aberdeenshire welcomed the announcement, claiming it would publicly expose legal failures in the process.Protest group Sustainable Aberdeenshire welcomed the announcement, claiming it would publicly expose legal failures in the process.
Stuart Housden, director of RSPB Scotland, said: "We are very pleased that Mr Swinney has decided to hold a public inquiry where the environmental impacts of this proposal can be fully considered and the potential solutions explored."Stuart Housden, director of RSPB Scotland, said: "We are very pleased that Mr Swinney has decided to hold a public inquiry where the environmental impacts of this proposal can be fully considered and the potential solutions explored."
The Trump Organisation earlier described allegations of sleaze surrounding the role of ministers in the £1bn golf project as grossly inappropriate.The Trump Organisation earlier described allegations of sleaze surrounding the role of ministers in the £1bn golf project as grossly inappropriate.
Mr Sorial told a Holyrood inquiry that the organisation was very offended by claims of special treatment. Mr Trump's spokesman, George Sorial, told a Holyrood inquiry that the organisation was very offended by claims of special treatment.
The Aberdeenshire councillor whose casting vote saw Mr Trump's plans rejected was sacked as the committee's chairman.The Aberdeenshire councillor whose casting vote saw Mr Trump's plans rejected was sacked as the committee's chairman.
Councillors voted 26 to 10 to unseat Councillor Martin Ford as chairman of the infrastructure services committee at an emergency meeting.Councillors voted 26 to 10 to unseat Councillor Martin Ford as chairman of the infrastructure services committee at an emergency meeting.
He said it sent out the "wrong message" on the planning system's integrity.He said it sent out the "wrong message" on the planning system's integrity.