Diggers destroyed in £50,000 attack on Trump golfopolis

Donald Trump has weathered some bizarre protests over his plans for a £1 billion “golfopolis” in Menie, Aberdeenshire, including the indignity of his image being plastered over statues across Scotland and an unflattering TV interview distributed to his most bitter foes. However, yesterday the campaign against the American tycoon took a criminal turn when police were called in to investigate sabotage at the site earmarked for his luxury resort.

Newly-planted marram grass was ripped up, fences pulled down, diesel supplies polluted and two JCB diggers destroyed, causing an estimated £50,000 of damage.

One senior Trump figure described the deliberate destruction as “callous acts of vandalism”. However, the company said that the attack would not deter them from proceeding with the controversial scheme, which is being built on environmentally sensitive land.

The damage was discovered on Monday. More than 1,000sqm of marram grass was ripped out of the ground at the 15th green, while 150 metres of fencing bordering the hole was also torn down.

Just 24 hours before, vandals had targeted two heavy diggers at the site, cutting their wiring, removing batteries and pouring sand into the engines. About 3,000 litres of diesel were also destroyed when the fuel was mixed with what is thought to be sugar.

The malicious assault is the latest evidence that the development is becoming increasingly unpopular. A poll published this week suggested Scots now oppose the scheme by two to one, despite claims it will boost tourism in the north-east and create thousands of new jobs.

Mr Trump, also known as ‘The Donald’, first announced his plans to build the “world’s greatest golf course” in March 2006, but his proposal took more than two years to gain approval after it was furiously opposed by conservationists. Critics argue that the resort, which will include two championship golf courses, 950 holiday homes and 500 houses, will wreck rare sand dunes, which are designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. There are also concerns that Mr Trump will use compulsory purchase orders to force residents whose houses are in the way of his plans out of their homes.

Full Story: The Times Online