Donald Trump suffers wind farm defeat

• US tycoon’s opposition thrown out by UK Supreme Court
• Plan is to build 11 turbines of coast of course near Aberdeen
• Today’s decision casts ‘a terrible shadow’ says Trump Org

Donald Trump has suffered a major setback in his long-standing fight against plans to create an offshore wind farm in view of his Aberdeenshire golf development.

The American tycoon’s objection to the Scottish Government’s proposal to install 11 turbines off the coast of Trump International Golf Links Scotland was today thrown out by the UK’s Supreme Court.

After a series of legal challenges lodged by Trump in the Scottish courts, the fight was then taken to the Supreme Court in London. Trump maintained that the proposals – granted planning permission more than two years ago – would spoil the view from his Balmedie golf course. However, Supreme Court judges voted unanimously to reject Trump’s objection.

The US presidential hopeful has halted all further development at Trump International Golf Links Scotland, including the creation of a second 18-hole golf course and an on-site hotel, until the wind farm plans are withdrawn.

In a statement issued following the Supreme Court ruling, the Trump Organisation described today’s ruling as ‘extremely unfortunate for the residents of Aberdeen and anyone who cares about Scotland’s economic future’.

“History will judge those involved unfavourably” – Trump Organisation statement

“The EOWDC (European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre) will completely destroy the bucolic Aberdeen Bay and cast a terrible shadow upon the future of tourism for the area,” continued the statement. “History will judge those involved unfavorably and the outcome demonstrates the foolish, small minded and parochial mentality which dominates the current Scottish Government’s dangerous experiment with wind energy.

“While the EOWDC’s ‘leadership’ have stated the project will proceed, the onerous planning conditions remain unpurified and it is common knowledge that there is no funding for a technology that is now many years obsolete.

“With oil prices plummeting and the lack of money for vital projects like the AWPR, the EOWDC will never be built and comments that suggest otherwise are nothing more than delusional posturing. We will evaluate the Court’s decision and continue to fight this proposal on every possible front.”

By contrast, Andy Paine, project director for Aberdeen Offshore Wind Farm Ltd, told BBC News: “This is another significant step forward for the EOWDC.

“It affirms the scheme’s potential to position Scotland, and particularly the north east, as a centre of innovative offshore wind power.”

Donald Trump vs the Wind Farm – whose side are you on?

Do you agree with Donald Trump that a proposed wind farm near the site of his Aberdeenshire golf course should not go ahead? Or do you back the Scottish Government’s intentions to explore new energy solutions such as these? Leave your thoughts in our ‘Comments’ section below.

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor