Trump 'ignored own expert on golf plan'

Dr Tom Dargie said his initial advice to avoid building on delicate sand dunes was rejected by the Trump organisation, but he decided to continue to offer his advice to the group.

Environmentalists are opposed to the course being built on protected sand dunes, designated a site of special scientific interest (SSSI).

Dr Dargie, a self-employed ecologist, was speaking as a witness for the Trump organisation on the fifth day of a public inquiry into the US billionaire's proposed development.

When cross-examined by David Cockburn of Scottish Natural Heritage, Dr Dargie admitted his advice to the Trump organisation to build away from the dunes was rejected.

Mr Cockburn asked: "Mr Trump, in his evidence, asserts that he took the advice of his environmental team. Isn't this one example of him rejecting the advice?"

Dr Dargie said: "I had no communication with Mr Trump as part of this. The actual decision to ignore my advice and move the development to the dunes was already under way.

"I could walk away from the development or I could continue to offer my expertise."

Mr Cockburn asked if Dr Dargie had changed his opinion about building on the dunes.

Dr Dargie replied: "No."

Mr Cockburn said: "My recollection when Mr Trump gave his evidence was that he said you think it will be environmentally enhanced.

"He said that Dr Dargie had become a 'big fan'. Is that true?"

Dr Dargie replied: "If the development gets permission to go ahead and we are allowed to undertake mitigation, we would have habitat conditions that would be better overall than what we have at the current time."

He added that the term "big fan" was "not a phrase I recognise".

The inquiry earlier heard from Professor William Ritchie, an independent coastal geomorphologist, who said the course construction would have a negative impact.

Prof Ritchie said: "The construction of the golf course would undoubtedly reduce the dynamism which is the central issue in why the SSSI was designated."

Prof Ritchie stopped short of saying the development would lead to the destruction of the dunes.

He said: "In terms of the land form, in some way or other the dunes are still there, under the grass."

Mr Trump's proposal was rejected by an Aberdeenshire Council committee last year before being called in by the Scottish Government.

The inquiry, at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, is expected to last up to four weeks.