Protesters homes safe says Trump

Magnate’s £750m development will be built around existing dwellings

Donald Trump has revealed he will not force out the families refusing to vacate their Menie Estate homes in order to complete plans on his first Scottish golf course.

The US tycoon hopes to build “the world’s greatest golf resort” just North of Aberdeen and five homeowners unwilling to leave the area could have been removed had his organisation sought a compulsory purchase order.

For almost two years, Trump and the homeowners had been at loggerheads after the residents refused to make way for the development.

However, in a statement, the Trump Organisation said: “Through a combination of landscaping and planting, the preliminary work to eliminate the negative visual impact of the poorly maintained and unkempt properties that border our development has completely succeeded.”

Aberdeenshire Council confirmed it had received no request for the consideration of a compulsory purchase order at the Menie Estate while Trump indicated it was never in his plans to seek one.

“We have consistently said we have no interest in compulsory purchase and have never applied for it,” said the business magnate.

“It remains part of the Scottish planning process but we have not, and will not, request that the council use their CPO powers to purchase houses.”

Construction is ongoing on the golf course and resort near Balmedie, which, Trump told bunkered, would be capable of hosting the Open Championship.

The cost of the project, to also include a 450-room hotel, 950 holiday apartments and 500 residential homes, has been estimated at around £750m.

Bryce Ritchie is the Editor of bunkered and, in addition to leading on content and strategy, oversees all aspects of the brand. The first full-time journalist employed by bunkered, he joined the company in 2001 and has been editor since 2009. A member of Balfron Golfing Society, he currently plays off nine and once got a lesson from Justin Thomas’ dad.

Editor