Swinney to rule soon on £1bn Trump golf resort

Published on Wednesday 15 October 2008 22:00

DONALD Trump will know within four weeks whether his dream of building the "world's greatest golf course" on a protected stretch of the Scottish coast will become a reality.

John Swinney, the secretary for finance and sustainable growth, yesterday took delivery of the report from Scottish Government planning reporters following a four-week inquiry into the tycoon's proposals to develop a 1 billion golf resort at the Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire.

Mr Swinney, who will have the final say on the controversial plans, has pledged to deliver his verdict within 28 days.

The Trump development plan comprises two championship golf courses, a 450-room hotel, 1,000 timeshare apartments, 36 golf villas and 500 homes. Mr Swinney will have to make the crucial decision on whether the billionaire should be allowed to build the back nine holes of his main championship course on the shifting sand dune system within the protected Foveran site of special scientific interest.