Trump Golf Appeal 'Unlikely' As NI Option Looks Positive

Billionaire Donald Trump's legal team is meeting with senior Aberdeenshire council officials over the possibility of reversing the surprise decision to throw out his £1bn golf development plan.

Aberdeenshire councillors rejected plans for the huge resort at the Menie Estate near Balmedie last week.

Several offers have been received from a number of landowners in the UK hoping to secure the project after the refusal.

The Trump Organisation's head of international development, George Sorial, said: "We will be having a meeting with Aberdeenshire Council to explain our position and see if there is the possibility of exploring options other than an appeal.

"We don't feel that the process was fair or reflected the will of the people.

"The just thing to do would be to hold another hearing in front of the full council."

Mr Sorial said they had been contacted by many landowners who wanted Mr Trump to consider their sites instead, some also in Scotland – with even a suggested option in Northern Ireland by a NI Assembly MLA.

Commenting, Mr Sorial said: "We have said all along the one we are looking at seriously is Northern Ireland."

Mr Sorial said they had not yet ruled out an appeal, but they were aware it would be a "lengthy process".

He said: "It is not an attractive option. It is going to be a balancing act as to whether we go full speed somewhere else or whether we take the risk of an appeal here."

Mr Trump's plan to create the £1bn golf resort in Aberdeenshire is "dead", according to the man who made the final decision to reject it.

Councillor Martin Ford, who used his casting vote to turn down the plan, told BBC Scotland he was "quite certain" the right decision was made.

An urgent special meeting of Aberdeenshire Council has been called to consider possible options for overturning the decision.

See: Trump Links For Ulster?

(BMcC)