Sparks to fly as Trump reveals new plans for Menie golf resort

THE Trump Organisation and families living on the edge of the tycoon’s golf resort entered into a new war of words yesterday over plans to build a temporary clubhouse on the site.

The temporary structure, made out of galvanised steel, would be used until Donald Trump’s Gothic-inspired clubhouse was completed in 2014.

David Milne, a Menie resident who has been at the forefront of opposition to the £750 million golf resort development in Aberdeenshire, said: “For this to be the ‘world’s best course’, surely there should be facilities provided at the time of opening.

“The fact that the Trump Organisation are unwilling to do that shows a lack of commitment to the North East. The incredibly low level of support and the fact that the organisation is unwilling to commit to a real clubhouse for their proposed opening all points to a short-lived project that is unlikely to succeed.”

His claims sparked a furious reply from the Trump Organisation. Sarah Malone, executive vice-president of Trump International Scotland, said: “David Milne is a desperately bitter man with his head in the sand. His statement demonstrates how ignorant he is about golf, tourism, business, the environment and the economy. We have experts from every discipline on our team and his comments are both absurd and defamatory.”

Robert Gray, the council’s head of planning and building standards, is recommending councillors approve the application for a temporary clubhouse and permanent car park at the Menie site, despite more than 800 objections to the proposed development.