Trump's fury at 'ugly' wind farm set to spoil his fairway from heaven

There were howls of rage when Donald Trump first proposed building 'the world's greatest golf course' in Scotland. Now he has become the one howling over another development nearby.

The US tycoon Donald Trump built his golf course near Balmedie beach in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, to the anger of residents and environmentalists. He has now lodged an objection about a wind farm set tShow more

LONDON // There were howls of rage when Donald Trump first proposed building "the world's greatest golf course" in Scotland.

The plan was part of a US$1 billion (Dh3.67bn) development on the Aberdeenshire coast - an area designated by the government as one of outstanding natural beauty.

Although Mr Trump eventually prevailed despite objections from locals and environmentalists, he has become the one howling over another development nearby.

In a letter to First Minister Alex Salmond - head of the quasi-autonomous Scottish government - he claims that his plans for the golf course, luxury hotel, holiday homes and houses are being threatened by proposals to build an offshore wind farm two kilometres from his resort on the Menie estate.

The 11-turbine wind farm off Aberdeen Bay would be a "useless eyesore", according to Mr Trump.

He added it would be "disastrous and environmentally irresponsible" - all arguments used by local residents to little effect when they began their doomed fight over his golf resort proposals six years ago.

An application to build the £150 million wind farm, which is being backed by local business leaders and the Scottish Enterprise Board, was submitted last month.

The European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre is a joint venture headed by Swedish utility company Vattenfall.

On Wednesday, the Trump Organisation lodged a formal objection to the plan, vowing to oppose it "on every possible front".

Mr Trump then personally intervened in a letter to Mr Salmond, warning him that if the "ugly" turbines were built in the bay, "you should ask yourself if any other international developer would ever risk investing in Scotland after my experience and all the promises that were made to me".

Those pledges, according to Mr Trump, were extracted from the Scottish government more than five years ago, "as an incentive for us to proceed with my project".

He said he was promised that wind turbines would not be "destroying and distorting Aberdeen's magnificent coastline".

Yesterday, a spokesman for the Scottish government said: "Mr Trump's letter refers to the position five years ago, when he was submitting his Menie planning application in 2006 - before the current administration took office - and therefore we have no knowledge of what was said then.

"The Menie application was determined properly, according to Scotland's planning laws and procedures, and it will be exactly the same for this development proposal.

"Ministers will assess every planning application on its merits, taking into account the views of consultees, interested parties and the public."

In his letter to Mr Salmond, Mr Trump wrote: "I object in the strongest possible terms to the current location of the wind turbines as proposed by Vattenfall, which is only 2km from my championship golf course and directly opposite Royal Aberdeen Golf Club.

"Its adverse visual impact on my development and the beautiful Aberdeen coastline would be disastrous and environmentally irresponsible.

"I will soon have invested approximately £60 million of my own money - which is not a public subsidy, unlike the funding for Vattenfall's turbines - to create a world-class golf resort under my global brand.

"After enduring the expense and many years of complex planning procedures, the championship course is nearing completion, well ahead of schedule.

"Unfortunately, instead of celebrating the start of something valuable and beautiful for Scotland, this ugly cloud is hanging over the future of the great Scottish coastline.

"My objection to the wind farm should come as no surprise to anyone because I have consistently warned of the adverse consequences it would have on my development and on Aberdeen."

Alasdair Johnston, an opponent of both the golf resort and the wind farm, told the Aberdeen edition of the Press and Journal: "The desecration of Scotland's land and seascapes is a poor and inefficient response to our alternative energy needs.

"I'm loving the irony of Trump's opposition since he, too, is guilty of the desecration of one of Scotland's finest assets."

Mr Trump maintains that his opposition to the wind farm is being driven by loftier ideals than a desire to protect the sea views of patrons at his resort, which will include a championship standard golf course, a £250 million hotel, 950 holiday homes and 500 houses.

His letter states: "I am not fighting this proposal merely for the benefit of Trump International Golf Links. Instead, I am fighting for the benefit of Scotland.

"Every location in the United States with a magnificent coastline - nothing compared to Scotland - has successfully defeated these horrendous looking, noisy and inefficient structures.

"My mother, Mary MacLeod, who was born in Stornoway [in the Outer Hebrides off Scotland's north-west coast], would be very proud of what I am doing for Scotland.

"It is not only for my project, it is more to preserve Scotland's beautiful coastline and natural heritage."