Trump homes deal causes wrangle

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An Aberdeenshire councillor has accused the local authority of donating land worth millions of pounds to Donald Trump to support his golf resort plans.

Lib Dem Paul Johnston hit out over alternative land for affordable housing being made available nearby.

Mr Johnston said it could be interpreted as a sweetener as part of the planning process for the £1bn plans for the Menie Estate.

The Trump Organisation and the council defended the deal.

Normally, a developer building a substantial number of new homes would be required to provide some low-cost, affordable housing.

The alternative land for this is being made available by the council at Balmedie.

Good package

Mr Johnston said: "This needs transparency. If we use that valuable land we would also be losing job opportunities."

In a statement, the council insisted a good package had been secured - in accordance with adopted policies - which would benefit the local people in Balmedie if the planning application was eventually approved.

Mr Trump earlier gave evidence at the inquiry

A spokesman for the Trump Organisation said the proposed land for affordable housing was identified by the council, and described as "absurd" any suggestion it was being given some sort of inducement.

Mr Trump wants to build two championship golf courses, a hotel and hundreds of homes.

Environmental groups have raised concerns, but many business leaders have backed the plans.

The application was originally rejected by Aberdeenshire Council's infrastructure services committee.

The application was then called in by the Scottish Government because of the scale of the proposals.

It is now the subject of an ongoing public inquiry.