We are tired of fighting over golf plan, says Trump team

Donald Trump’s team has moved to make peace with opponents of his north-east golf resort plans – by declaring that they are tired of fighting.

Five members of Trump International Golf Links Scotland, including the developer’s son – Donald Trump jun – toured Royal Aberdeen Golf Club yesterday.

They were on a fact-finding mission as work on what they hope will be the world’s greatest golf course begins at the Menie Estate, Balmedie.

The detailed masterplan for the site, which was submitted last month, includes four homes – Mill of Menie, Menie Fishing Station, Hermit Point, Leyton Cottage – not owned by the businessman.

The owners have so far refused to sell and opponents of the plan claim that this month Mr Trump will ask Aberdeenshire Council to use compulsory purchase powers to evict them.

However, Mr Trump jun dismissed the claims last night.

“I assure you that we are not going back to the council in March,” he told the Press and Journal.

“We are not the antagonists here. We have not brought up CPOs (compulsory purchase orders) in six months.

“Right now we are looking forward to building, getting machinery on the site and starting to create the vision my father had for this land when he bought the estate.

“It is great that the project is under way and we are focusing on the positive aspects going forward.”

Asked if another offer would be made to the homeowners, George Sorial, Mr Trump’s head of international development, said: “Let’s just wait and see.”

He added: “We don’t want to keep fighting.

“At a personal level I don’t enjoy it, organisationally it wastes time – we just want to get on with the job.”

John Munro, who lives at Leyton Cottage, rejected Mr Sorial’s call last night.

“To be quite honest, I am not really that interested,” he said. “What will be, will be – I have no plans to sell.”

David Milne, of Hermit Point, said: “They started this fight – but obviously we will listen to them.”

Full Story: The Press & Journal