Donald Trump's masterplan for ‘world's greatest golf course' in Scotland

The American tycoon Donald Trump today revealed his masterplan for “the greatest golf course in the world” to be built on a windswept stretch of Scottish coastline.

The controversial proposals — first mooted more than three years ago — also include a new village, complete with shops, pubs and cafes.

Trump International Scotland received outline planning permission for the £1billion development from the Scottish government in December 2008.

It has now submitted the overarching plan for the site, along with the detailed designs for the championship golf course, to Aberdeenshire Council for full permission.

Approval for the next two phases of the development — the hotel and holiday accommodation, and the residential village — is still to be sought.

"This is another significant step towards our goal of building the world's greatest golf course and resort in Aberdeenshire," said Mr Trump, whose mother was born in Scotland.

However, to realise his vision, “The Donald” still requires five plots of land owned by other parties. Four of them have homes on them, and some residents have been adamant they will not sell up.

The development has polarised opinion in the North East of Scotland and beyond, with some claiming it to be the best thing for the region since oil was discovered in the North Sea, and others decrying its environmental impact.

The Hollywood actress Tilda Swinton has likened the plans to the Highland Clearances and has signed up to a petition by campaign group Tripping Up Trump, opposing the use of compulsory purchase orders on the five plots.

Sarah Malone, executive vice president of Trump International Scotland, said that the firm was still in talks with the owners and hoped to come to an agreement. The stalemate will only become an issue when work is due to begin on the holiday accommodation, which sits right beside some of the contentious land.

Full Story: The Times