Trump Organisation proposes £150m expansion of Aberdeenshire golf resort

Hundreds of houses, a shopping centre and horse riding facility planned

Donald Trump plays a stroke as he officially opens his new multi-million pound Trump International Golf Links course in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, on 10 July 2012 (AFP/Getty)

Donald Trump’s company is proposing a £150m expansion of his luxury golf resort in Aberdeenshire.

The Trump Organisation plans to build 500 houses, 50 cottages, a sports centre, a shopping centre and a horse riding facility at the Menie estate near Balmedie.

The business said the latest phase would support nearly 2,000 jobs across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire during construction, and provide nearly 300 permanent jobs.

Aberdeenshire Council will now consider the proposals.

They come after Mr Trump and the organisation were accused of failing to deliver on promises of investment and jobs made when permission was first granted for the resort in 2008.

The billionaire’s company vowed to spend £1bn building the resort including a large hotel, two courses and hundreds of houses and holiday cottages.

But by last year, the Trump Organisation said it had only spent around a tenth of that. Only one golf course, a clubhouse and a small hotel have been built.

One obstacle was a lengthy legal battle by the Trump Organisation against an offshore wind farm. The turbines have now been constructed and are generating electricity.

The development of the resort has faced stiff opposition from environmental campaigners. Earlier this month it emerged one of the courses at the gold resort had “partially destroyed” the protected sand dunes it was built on.

The US president’s golf resorts have also faced heavy financial losses, following a crash in the price of oil, forcing the American leader to plough £1.3m into the Aberdeenshire complex.

Eric Trump, who now leads the Trump Organisation with his brother Donald Jr, said: “We own a truly phenomenal property along the coast of northeast Scotland and remain fully committed to our long-term vision for the site.

“The timing is now right for us to release the next phase of investment and the significant economic benefits this brings.

“Initial interest to our plans have been incredible and, subject to detailed planning approval, we are aiming to break ground next year.”

Sarah Malone, executive vice president of Trump International in Aberdeen, added: “We are delighted to unveil the plans we have been working on for the past few years.

“This is the second phase of our multi-phase development project which combines all three components of our original masterplan vision including five-star golf and leisure facilities, luxury hotel and resort accommodation and residential village.

“Improvements to the region’s infrastructure and recovery signs in the economy makes this the right time to drive forward this next major phase of development.”

Additional reporting by Press Association