Forced sale of Menie homes 'to be halted'

COUNCILLORS are today expected to lift the threat of families being forced from their homes to pave the way for Donald Trump's £1 billion leisure resort, in a major blow to the tycoon's plans to build the world's greatest golf course in Scotland.

The majority of the 68 members of Aberdeenshire Council are understood to be poised to vote against the use of compulsory purchase orders at the Menie Estate when the issue is debated at a meeting in Aberdeen.

The vote will effectively scupper the Trump Organisation's hopes of seeking the support of the council to seize the homes of four families, living on the fringe of the Menie Estate, whose land is now said to be vital to the overall golf and leisure development.

The families were facing the prospect of compulsory purchase orders after a decision by an Aberdeenshire area committee to include their land in a revised masterplan of the Trump development near Balmedie.

Councillor Martin Ford, a leading opponent of the Trump scheme, has tabled a motion opposing any move to use compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) to force residents from their homes. Members of the ruling Liberal Democrat-led administration are also expected to submit an amendment that will effectively end any prospect of CPOs being used at Menie.

A council source told The Scotsman: "Whether Martin Ford's motion or the amendment wins the day, it will mean that Donald Trump has no chance whatever of forcing the families from their homes."

The growing opposition to the use of CPO powers emerged as the tycoon launched an astonishing personal attack against Mr Ford. In a statement issued from his base in New York's Trump Towers, he accused Mr Ford of waging a "personal vendetta" against him. "Once again, Martin Ford has put his own political agenda above the interests of his constituents," said Mr Trump. "He intends to debate a compulsory purchase order at the upcoming meeting of the full council, although we have voluntarily withdrawn any question of compulsory purchase to allow more time to negotiate with our neighbours.

"Once again, Martin Ford and his few supporters are sending a very clear signal to the world that Aberdeenshire is closed to inward investment and that developers and other business people are not welcome."

The star of the US version of The Apprentice added: "The people of the North-east recognise that these tactics are designed to stop a project which has been legitimately approved by the Scottish Government. Aberdeenshire Council should not allow a handful of self- serving people to interfere with our goals of creating a very popular project."

Mr Ford, in turn, accused the tycoon of "throwing the toys out of the pram", saying: "This smacks of desperation. Mr Trump knows he has lost the argument and has resorted to mudslinging."