The leaders of five business organisations in Scotland have joined forces to urge the government to approve the Trump Organisation’s controversial plans for a £1 billion golf, leisure and residential complex in Aberdeenshire.
The rare display of unanimity comes as tourism figures are down and the property and construction sectors have been tarnished by the credit crunch.
The leaders of the business lobby groups believe that Donald Trump’s plans for the Menie estate will give the Scottish economy a much-needed shot in the arm.
The Scottish government inquiry into the proposal ended on 4 July and, despite promises to report its conclusion within 28 days, John Swinney, the finance and sustainable growth secretary, has not yet pronounced on the planned resort.
Trump’s plans include two links-style championship golf courses and a development of 1,450 new homes at Menie, near Aberdeen. However, to the consternation of Scottish business figures, the plans were thrown out on environmental grounds by a committee of Aberdeenshire council in November 2007. The Trump Organisation then appealed.
The CBI, Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC), Scottish Council for Development and Industry, Federation of Small Businesses and Institute of Directors (IoD) now believe that coming together might persuade the government to green-light the proposals.
“Recent events in the world economy have shown how vital it is to be positive and seize the opportunities when they appear,” said David Watt, director of IoD Scotland.
Liz Cameron, chief executive of the SCC, said: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime inward investment opportunity which we must grasp with open arms.
“The powerful closing statements at the end of the inquiry into Mr Trump’s proposals clearly demonstrated that the unprecedented economic impact of the development far outweighs the environmental concerns. We are urging the government to make the right decision — and to make it swiftly.”
David Lonsdale, assistant director of CBI Scotland, said: “We support a quick decision, believing the proposed development will make a significant contribution to the growth of the tourism industry, attracting repeat and first-time visitors to Scotland.”
Many citizens of northeast Scotland support the proposals on economic grounds, but environmentalists warn that they will have a devastating impact on the ecosystem of the sand dunes at Menie — a designated site of special scientific interest (SSSI).
Critics also dispute whether economic benefits promised for the planned resort will ever be delivered. During the public inquiry, Scottish Natural Heritage described part of the SSSI as a “the jewel in the crown” of British sand dunes.
This article was published in Sunday Times Scotland on 10 August 2008.