Trump Development

Trump development

History of the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s campaign

The Scottish Wildlife Trust has campaigned strongly against the Trump International Golf Links since May 2007. The resort will be located within the spectacular sand dune system at Menie Links, just north of Aberdeen in Scotland.

The Scottish Wildlife Trust objected to the planning application because the proposed golf resort will destroy a large part of the nationally important Foveran Links Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), designated for its wildlife and geology features.

Although Aberdeenshire Council originally rejected the application, Scottish ministers “called in” the application for further scrutiny and a public local inquiry was held in 2008.

At the inquiry, the Scottish Wildlife Trust joined forces with RSPB Scotland and the Botanical Society of the British Isles to fight for the protection of Foveran Links SSSI. An alternative location for the championship golf course outwith the SSSI was put forward, but this was rejected by the Trump team because the dramatic dune topography within the Foveran SSSI was said to be a major feature in the course’s design.

Menie Sand dunes The public inquiry Reporter concluded that the economic and social benefits of the golf resort outweighed the environmental damage caused by its development, and the Scottish Government granted permission in November 2008, subject to a legally binding planning agreement.

Speaking immediately after the Scottish Government’s announcement, Jonny Hughes, Director of Conservation at the Scottish Wildlife Trust said:

“The Scottish Wildlife Trust is extremely disappointed about this decision. We have stood alongside RSPB as well as the Scottish Government's own conservation advisors [Scottish Natural Heritage] and the many concerned members of the local community in demanding that the Government assesses the development not only on its economic merits, but also on the considerable detrimental environmental impacts. This is a huge blow for the environment and sustainable development. The sad thing is that there could easily have been both golf and environmental protection at Menie. Instead, Government ministers have failed to deliver the sustainable part of their professed central purpose of ‘sustainable economic growth’. This decision will mean needless destruction to a unique and nationally important site."

This is not the end of the story however. The Scottish Wildlife Trust has been keeping abreast of developments on the Foveran Links site. Now that planning permission for the golf resort has been granted, the Trust believes it is crucial that all planning conditions are met to help minimise the damage to Foveran Links SSSI and surrounding wildlife.

As such, the Scottish Wildlife Trust objected to a further planning application submitted by the Trump team in September 2009 because it believed this breached agreed planning conditions. Unfortunately, the Trust’s objection was rejected and preparatory work started in the dune system last winter.

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How YOU can help

The Scottish Wildlife Trust members and the public can help ensure SSSIs are afforded proper protection by writing to John Swinney MSP and your local MSP expressing your concerns about this development and the unnecessary destruction of a nationally important SSSI.

We would appreciate if you would also send a copy of your letter and any response to The Scottish Wildlife Trust, Cramond House, 3 Kirk Cramond, Edinburgh EH4 6HZ.

Whilst the Scottish Wildlife Trust supports sustainable development, we are committed to protecting wildlife from inappropriate development. You too can help protect Scotland's wildlife areas by making an online donation now. All donations go towards our vital conservation work, including caring for our own suite of wildlife reserves.

Further Information

If you wish to speak to the Scottish Wildlfe Trust about this case please contact Tony King (Head of Policy) or Dr. Maggie Keegan (National Planning Co-ordinator) on 0131 312 7765.