Work begins at Donald Trump's Scottish golf course at Balmedie

Three years ago, Donald Trump flew in to Scotland, claimed it to be his homeland and pledged to deliver “the greatest golf course in the world” on one of its most beautiful, windswept shorelines.

The audacious announcement was immediately followed by months of bitter wrangling between the billionaire developer, residents, environmentalists and local and national government.

But today, having thus far deflected challenges from opponents, which range from the RSPB bird charity to the Hollywood actress Tilda Swinton, Trump International Golf Links Scotland finally began work on the Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire.

As the process began to plant marram grass on the sweeping dunes of Balmedie, Mr Trump’s son, Donald Trump Junior, who has been at the forefront of the project recently, reflected back on the three years spent “under incredible scrutiny”.

“This has been, according to our lawyers, the most scrutinised masterplan and zoning process in the history of development in Scotland,” he mused. “We have complied with everything. We have more environmentalists on our team than anyone in the history of the world probably.

“We’re trying to make an incredibly sensitive project to the environment, while making a great project.”

Not everyone agrees with his position.

Conservationists are furious that he is to build on a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The five residents who live on the estate, and whom the Trump Organisation is attempting to buy out, are none too pleased. The protest group Tripping Up Trump is campaigning against the use of compulsory purchase orders to evict the remaining residents. It has secured the support of Swinton, who lives in Nairn. It prompted Mr Trump to issue an acerbic response to the local press in which he characterised her as a publicity-hungry non-entity.

The details of the “masterplan” have yet to be approved but Aberdeenshire councillors passed the application for preparatory construction work earlier this week. Further work will be carried out to stabilise the dunes before construction gets under way.

Tripping Up Trump said that it was seeking legal advice after the council's decision. It may challenge on the grounds of breaching environmental law and planning procedures.

David Milne, a resident who is opposed to the development and whose home Mr Trump wants, did not plan a protest. “There was no point,” he said. “Aberdeenshire Council have done exactly what they were told to do by the Trump Organization. When we do protest, we will do it properly, correctly and legally.”

Full Story: Times Online