25 April 2006

Trump in trouble ... again

Last week it emeregd that Donald J. Trump "donated" over 400 acres to New York State for the aptly named "Donald J. Trump State Park", but only after residents and local council refused his request to build a golf course.
This week, we learn that his plans to build "the greatest golf resort in the world" in Aberdeen Scotland is also running into planning and political problems:

When the announcement came last month ... it was clear meetings with Jack Mcconnell had influenced the decision to come to Scotland. Now questions are being raised over whether the First Minister's dealings with Donald Trump broke rules which require ministers to do nothing to prejudice the planning process. The Trump scheme would see a £300 million development including two championship courses, a luxury hotel and holiday properties on the Menie Estate near Balmedie. The Scottish Executive deny that Jack McConnell discussed the plans in detail when he met the billionaire last year. After the announcement, which came during Tartan Week in New York, the First Minister was careful to welcome the investment, but not the development itself. But the Green Party are calling for an investigation into Mr McConell's conduct. They are concerned about Mr Trump's threat to pull out of the development if plans for a nearby windfarm spoil the views from the resort. The US tycoon is due to arrive in Aberdeen on Friday to work out final proposals before submitting plans to Aberdeenshire Council next month.

source

0 comments: