Trump Course Approved

[EchtLoon]

it may just be cynical old me but I could envision buggy tracks all over and unsuitably clad and overloud tourists; if they could get past the friends of the peewit commando

I think they've stated there will be no buggies (or certainly no buggy paths) as they want an authentic Scottish links. Hard to align that with fat American tourists though?

 

[Toad]

I agree with Birdie that parcel of land will make for a fantastic course, it has the potential to be one of the top courses in the UK.

I look forward to a GM Forum meet up there one day.

 

[sandford93]

here here

 

[theeaglehunter]

looks stunning, I will add it to my 'must play' list without a doubt.

 

[greensman]

This is great news for everyone. I see no problems what so ever!

Its great for the local economy, it will bring in more golfers, its great for the other local courses, shops hotels etc. The price will be subject to demand, so if it is truly the worlds best links, then they will demand big money and people will pay. But this will have a positive knock on affect

Sssi is the controversial bit. This gets my blood boiling. Because the tree hugging, sandal wearing, eco friendly, acorn eating, do-gooders have this (wrong) perception of golf courses. The perception is so far removed from reality its untrue. A well managed course preserves, protects and develops nature. Some of our rarest & endangered species only live on golf courses. All the best courses are in affect ’nature reserves’ if they are not working in harmony with nature they are not utilising the course to its full potential.

So in reality, if Mr Trump wants the best, the natural landscape & wildlife will be developed in harmony.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I think with the money being shoved into it, it will become one of the top must play courses nut is clearly designed for tourists and not a course for members (except the extremely well off). I agree that it will benefit the local economy in the same way as a lot of these big courses do throughout the UK and Ireland.

As long as care is taken with the eco-system and that Trump is true to his word about maintaining the natural balance and beauty during and after construction I say it is a project to be applauded. To be honeset sooner or later someone, if not Trump, was always going to come along and see that land and use it for some purpose or another

 

[forefortheday]

Lets face it most of us on here will never play it, will it be in the top 100 courses in the UK? Possibly but it won't be a course I will be desperate to play given the choice I'd play a whole host of courses first.

No doubt it will benefit the area financially but it will change the environment of the area whether that is good or bad only time will tell.

But I don't trust a man with that bad a wig.

 

[AliB]

Well done birdie man for flying the flag for teh East coast.
(rousing chorus of Scots wha Ha'e ....)

AliB
aka Fly Fifer

 

[Herbie]

I have a lot of support for golf course building as golf courses are nearly always well maintained, very attractive and offer enviromental and natural benefits, as well as a great game.

Its the rest of the crap that goes along with projects of this nature and the creation of elitism and greed, along with damaging the enviroment with new builds all over the place where no builds were ever intended, to mention a few problems it will bring..

 

[DCB]

Whilst it will no doubt be a rich tourist resort I also think that this new venue will become a big player in the Corporate golf stakes. It's going to have a top class hotel and golf course on site. With the oil industry still going strong, there will be companies looking to book conference / exhibition space & golf long before the place opens.

Best of luck to them, it's an amazing piece of land.

 

[EchtLoon]

http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/920580

I will make you so proud, Trump promises Scotland

By Cameron Brooks

Published: 04/11/2008


Donald Trump last night renewed his vow to build “the world’s greatest golf course”, saying he was “honoured” that the Scottish Government had cleared the way for him to realise his dream.

The US tycoon said Finance Secretary John Swinney’s decision to back his £1billion golf resort plan for Aberdeenshire “sent a great message to the world about Scotland”.

And he promised that the finished article would be a “source of pride” not only for the north-east, but the whole country.

Mr Swinney announced yesterday that he had decided the “significant” economic benefits of the project planned for the Menie Estate, near Balmedie, outweighed the environmental arguments.

An estimated 6,000 jobs will be created during development of the resort — 12 miles north of Aberdeen — and there will eventually be about 1,200 permanent jobs.

Mr Trump promised a development that Scots could be proud of — and he insisted the global financial crisis would not halt his plans.

“This decision sends a great message to the world about Scotland,” said the New York-based billionaire. “It will be a tremendous asset and source of pride for both Aberdeenshire and Scotland for many generations.

“I look forward to doing something really great for the people of Scotland.

“We are in a very strong condition financially and, fortunately, I was not an investor in the stock market like many other people. We will go ahead rapidly as soon as we get the documents and permits that we need.

“I would like to personally thank the thousands of people and organisations who have supported us throughout this process.

“As I have often said, because of the quality of the land we are given to work with, we will build the greatest golf course in the world.”

First Minister Alex Salmond, whose Gordon constituency includes the Menie Estate, praised the Press and Journal for the part the newspaper played in mustering public support for the project.

“I have been ‘cup-tied’ on this issue for so long it is great to be able to finally speak my mind,” he said.

“I believe that the economic and social benefits for the north-east of Scotland substantially outweigh any environmental impact, and that this is demonstrated in the evaluation of the three reporters to the public local inquiry. In tough economic times, substantial investment of this kind is at a premium.

“The Press and Journal played a very substantial role because the reality was a year ago it was going to collapse for no good reason. One of the things that kept it going was the degree of public support expressed through the newspaper.”

The development includes two 18-hole golf courses with associated clubhouse, starter's hut, caddy shack, short-game practice area and driving range, a 450-bedroom hotel with conference centre and spa, 950 holiday apartments in four blocks, 36 golf villas and 500 private houses.
Conditions

But outline planning permission, which is valid for five years, is subject to a variety of conditions. These include incorporating community facilities into the development, such as a primary school, general store, nursery and creche, and creating an access road to the Aberdeen-Ellon stretch of the A90.

The Trump Organisation is also expected to fund improvements to roundabouts to the north of Aberdeen before the project can begin.

It has also been told that the championship golf course, clubhouse, accommodation for 400 staff and 36 golf holiday homes — which can be occupied for only 12 weeks of the year — must be built before work to build a maximum of 500 private homes can begin.

All holiday homes, and private houses have to built in staggered stages.

The organisation, which has built luxury golf resorts across the world, has also been told it must take action to protect local wildlife, such as otters, badgers and barn owls, and come up with a robust plan outlining what steps will be taken to stabilise sand dunes within a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Planning consent is also on the basis that no electric golf buggies are allowed on the championship course, to protect the landscape.

The Trump Organisation has three years to secure any necessary extra planning permissions from Aberdeenshire Council.

Mr Swinney said he was content that the local public inquiry this summer had taken account of all the relevant issues. He added: “The reporters found there was significant economic and social benefit to be gained from this project, which has been a major consideration in my decision to grant outline planning permission.”

Mr Trump, who is expected to visit the site within the next month, said he was happy to adhere to the conditions.

 

[Parmo]

After reading this months GM and the prices of clubs such as K club at £475 for 36 holes, I find it really daft of the Scottish government to approve a course that is only going to accessible to 5% of Scotland's population & wealthy Yank or Arab tourists, but then again when have a Scottish government not sold itself short in the name of money.

I am of the opinion that the best courses are the ones open to the general public and not sealed off like the Yank ones or the ones charging stupid money to play. The most I would ever pay for a round is Old St Andrews and then £50 max for any other course, if I miss out I miss out least I know my pants have never been pulled down in the name of golf.

 

[USER1999]

I am willing to spend a bit, and if the course is worth it then fine. I have a problem with Loch Lomond ever getting a mention in the press or telly, as I can't play it ever, so putting it in the top 20 is pointless. It should not even have been reviewed.
It shouldn't be on the Tour, as again it promotes golf as an eliteist sport, inaccessible to the common man. It is the job of the tour to promote golf to the public. It is why they want it in the olympics. Stick to courses you can play. Ditto Augusta.

 

[cm_qs]

Personally I wouldn't dream of trumping on the course. Bad ettiquete and terribly poor form!!

Seriously though, I can't imagine a situation where I would ever think "Oh No! Not another fabulous golf course within 3 hours driving distance"

 

[cm_qs]

I have a problem with Loch Lomond ever getting a mention in the press or telly, as I can't play it ever.....
inaccessible to the common man.

Got to disagree with you here Murph. I personally know at least a dozen "common men" who have played Loch Lomond and I was once invited but was absolutley unable to make it on the day. (you can only imagine how much that p**ed me off! ) They don't come much more common than me!
It's improbable to get a game there but certainly not impossible.

 

[birdieman]

but then again when have a Scottish government not sold itself short in the name of money.

Can you expand a bit on this sweeping statement please?
We've only had a Scottish Government for 9 years after all! I feel the Scottish Government under both Labour and SNP have introduced a lot of good policies 'for the people' and not for financial gain that folks elsewhere in the UK are plainly jealous of.

RSPB, SNH etc have very well greased spin doctors like every organisation these days so do not believe everything they claim. RSPB can manipulate statistics and data to their own end like you wouldn't believe!

$1 Billion is not to be sniffed at for the countless jobs this development will bring.

 

[USER1999]

It says it all that you were 'invited', you didn't phone up and book.

But in the GM rankings, one of the things ranked was warm welcome / feeling like a member. This would obviously score zero, as if I am a members guest, it goes without saying I will be treated nicely. If however I am a green fee, I would get short shift, as there aren't any.

Oh yeah, Swinley forest falls into this category too.

Not convinced by your arguement Craig.

 

[Dodger]

No doubt 'invited' by say Barclays or some other big corporation?? Bet you it wasnt Joe Public who has been a member there since junior age.
To me all courses should be accessible to us ordinary folk even if the club in question have say a Tuesday and a Thursday tee off slots between 10am and 11am to give everyone a chance of playing it.

 

[cm_qs]

No doubt 'invited' by say Barclays or some other big corporation?? Bet you it wasnt Joe Public who has been a member there since junior age.

Invited by the guy who owned the company that I worked for at the time. He paid for his membership at his club just as I paid mine. Taking guests to the course just as I occassionally do at mine.
He just happened to be in a position to afford a more expensive club than I can on account of his being a multi millionaire and me being as poor as a church mouse.

 

[OldWindy]

He was always going to win out as the case he puts forward would be just too convincing and cash-laden for the local economy. Also, a man with his hair is going to be able to build a course just about anywhere; just hope's it better to look at.