Donald Trump criticised by WWF over wind farms

DONALD Trump has been criticised by the environmental organisation WWF for his “hell-bent” mission to prevent the construction of an off-shore wind farm.

DONALD Trump has been criticised by the environmental organisation WWF for his “hell-bent” mission to prevent the construction of an off-shore wind farm.

In an interview with the Financial Times the American billionaire said that he would launch court proceedings to halt the wind energy development proposed for the waters off the Aberdeenshire coast where he owns a golf course.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Trump International Golf Links at Balmedie was opened last summer with the support of politicians and business leaders but was strongly opposed by environmentalists and some local residents.

The planned off-shore turbines would be visible from Mr Trump’s golf course and he is determined to put a stop to them. “I don’t think they’ll be built,” he told the FT.

He added: “I built a masterpiece. I don’t want to see it destroyed by windmills. Windmills are going to be the death of Scotland and even England if they don’t do something about them. They are ruining the countryside.

“I’ve done a great favour to Scotland and even Great Britain ... A lot of people were devastated when their houses were ruined and their values destroyed when they put up a windmill near it. But they had no voice. Now they have a voice: me. I’ve empowered them to fight. And people are fighting these ugly monstrosities.”

Should the “windmills” be approved, he said: “I’ll bring a lawsuit and I think it will be tied up for many years in court.”

In response to the comments made by Mr Trump, WWF Scotland director Lang Banks said: “Given the urgent need to tackle climate change it is rather depressing to hear Donald Trump remains hell-bent on using his vast wealth going to court to try and kill-off one of the main clean energy solutions available to the people of Scotland.

“Along with energy efficiency and other forms of renewables, wind power helps to reduce emissions, create jobs, and generate export opportunities. Donald Trump’s efforts to undermine Scotland’s renewables ambitions are truly misguided.”