No sign of plans for Trump course

Published on Sunday 3 May 2009 19:52

WORK to turn the spectacular stretch of dunes at the Menie estate into what Donald Trump claims will be the world's greatest golf course might not begin until early next year.

The Scottish Government, which called in the application following Aberdeenshire Council's rejection of the scheme, gave the go-ahead to the project on 3 November, leaving detailed planning permission to be agreed with the local authority.

But, six months on, the Trump Organisation has still to submit any detailed proposals for a development that includes two golf courses, a 450-bedroom hotel and housing.

George Sorial told The Scotsman the Trump Organisation planned to submit a detailed master plan, incorporating every facet of the development, for approval rather than seeking piecemeal permission.

He said: "There is a draft in progress. We have regular meetings with Aberdeenshire Council and they are doing a great job with handling our application. But it's still going to take some time to produce.

"Even though we may have a workable master plan, it's in everyone's interests that, rather than just be piecemeal about it, there will be one final submission.

"It is more realistic to expect that we will actually be in the ground at the end of the year or early next year, depending on the weather. This is a big application. We want to make sure that it gets done right."