Fractional Ownership News

Farmyard or fractionals? Trump's new plans cause unrest in Scotland

Donald Trump’s plans for a £1 billion golf, hotel and fractional ownership resort in Aberdeenshire have been delayed again as the developer has decided to expand the project.

To do this he has had to apply for compulsory purchase orders for parcels of land surrounding the Menie site, which Trump has promised will be “the best golf course in the world”. The new York mogul has threatened to scrap the scheme altogether if the council don’t force through the sales – a sign some in Scotland take to mean the cost of the project has spiralled to the extent that Trump is looking for a face-saving exit.

"We've made significant changes," George Sorial, managing director for International Development with the Trump Organization, told Reuters. "These additional acquisitions are necessary to deliver the quality project that we have spoken about in the past. Aberdeenshire council will have to make a decision whether they want a scrapyard or a five-star development," he said, referring to one of the additional sites Trump is looking to acquire – a collection of rusting tractors, trailers and an old Shell fuel tanker in the farmyard belonging to one of the resort’s most outspoken opponents, Michael Forbes.

Trump’s change of plans has not gone down well with former supporters. Member of the Scottish Parliament Mike Rumbles said: “I was very keen but my views have changed completely. My mail bag is full of letters from constituents who believe, as I do, that this is morally unjustified.” Rumbles said he expected councillors to reject Trump's request.

www.trumpgolfscotland.com

24/09/09