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Trump 'boasted' on resort success | Trump 'boasted' on resort success |
(about 8 hours later) | |
Donald Trump said he would secure his £1bn Aberdeenshire golf resort plans because of who he is and his Scottish roots, it has emerged. | Donald Trump said he would secure his £1bn Aberdeenshire golf resort plans because of who he is and his Scottish roots, it has emerged. |
The comments came in the latest edition of Vanity Fair magazine from an interview carried out last November, before the plans hit objections. | |
Scots First Minister Alex Salmond insisted no deal had been done to pass the Trump course plans. | |
Mr Trump pointed out that the interview was given over five months ago. | |
He said his comments were made prior to ministers being called in. | |
Ministers decided to have the final say on the application after it was narrowly rejected by an Aberdeenshire Council committee. | |
This interview took place in November just as our proposals had been approved by the Formartine area committee and long before the Scottish Government stepped in Donald Trump | |
Mr Trump said of the resort application in the Vanity Fair article: "I'm going to get it." | |
But Mr Salmond said Mr Trump's application would go through the "proper process" of a public local inquiry before a final decision was made. | |
The tycoon's plans for the Menie Estate involved two championship golf courses, 950 holiday homes, 36 golf villas and 500 private homes. | The tycoon's plans for the Menie Estate involved two championship golf courses, 950 holiday homes, 36 golf villas and 500 private homes. |
Environmental groups and local campaigners criticised the project, while many leading business figures backed it. | Environmental groups and local campaigners criticised the project, while many leading business figures backed it. |
After it was rejected by local councillors, the Trump Organisation said it would not appeal the decision, with speculation emerging that it could be switched to Northern Ireland. | After it was rejected by local councillors, the Trump Organisation said it would not appeal the decision, with speculation emerging that it could be switched to Northern Ireland. |
However, it was then called in by the Scottish Government and a planning inquiry into the controversial application will take place in June. | However, it was then called in by the Scottish Government and a planning inquiry into the controversial application will take place in June. |
'Given the nod' | |
In the article, Mr Trump said: "If Jack Nicklaus tried to do this he'd have zero chance, but they like what I've done, and because I am who I am and my mother is Scottish, between you and me... I'm going to get it." | |
Aberdeenshire councillor Martin Ford, who lost his post as chairman of the council committee which threw out the application last year, said: "It will grate with people that he is so confident he will get what he wants for who he is." | Aberdeenshire councillor Martin Ford, who lost his post as chairman of the council committee which threw out the application last year, said: "It will grate with people that he is so confident he will get what he wants for who he is." |
Scottish Labour public services spokesman Andy Kerr said one "had to wonder" what assurances Mr Trump received which led him to conclude that the deal was in the bag, adding: "Either Mr Trump jumped the gun or someone gave him the nod." | |
Mr Trump, responding to the row which had followed the publication of the article, told BBC Scotland: "This interview took place in November just as our proposals had been approved by the Formartine area committee and long before the Scottish Government stepped in. | |
"I was obviously confident, having been advised that this first step in the planning process would be the most difficult - and it passed so easily." | |
He added: "I am taking the public inquiry process very seriously. The Reporter said that the identity and the personality of the developer must not be a consideration. | |
"I am not out to win a popularity contest or become an elected official - I only want to build a great development. | |
"I fell in love with the Menie site and I am going to make it far better than it has ever been. I want to build something spectacular that works in harmony with the natural environment." | |
Meanwhile, Mr Salmond continued his visit to the US by stating few linked Scotland with America as strongly as golf. | |
Speaking from Washington, he added: "We're starting to reach out to that same American golfing public as we start the build up to the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles - a great year for Scottish sport." |