Tycoon Trump’s golf resort wins road access boost

Members of Aberdeenshire Council’s Formartine area committee gave the go-ahead for the construction of a new access road to the Menie estate development near Balmedie, despite objections from some local residents.

The mile-long road will link the championship course and proposed clubhouse at the Menie estate to the A90 Aberdeen to Ellon road. The new route will start nearly 400ft north of the estate entrance and run east towards the coast.

Five letters of objection were submitted to the council against the new road. They included a letter from David Milne, one of the local residents who has been a long-standing opponent of the Menie development.

He claimed the road would be “dangerous” and increase the likelihood of accidents on the A90. Other neighbours suggested that noise surveys should have been carried out to assess the possible impact on residents.

Planning officials, however, had recommended approval of the road.

Planning officer Ann Ramsay told the committee: “As the road is to be a private access it will not be adopted by the council, therefore a condition to restrict the speed would be unenforceable.

“However this is a matter which can be highlighted as an advisory note to the applicants.”