Trump says Scottish golf resort is a done deal

Edinburgh, Apr.3 : American tycoon Donald Trump is boasting that he has won planning permission for his controversial one billion pound golf resort in Scotland.

Despite the project facing a public inquiry, Trump reckons the deal is in the bag.

The cocky billionaire, whose mother was born on Lewis, expects the go ahead for his complex on the 1400-acre Menie estate, north of Aberdeen, by September.

In an amazing outburst, Trump also claimed the seaside development's fiercest opponents will end up "loving it".

"I'm going to build a world-class golf course in the dunes and another 18 holes on the property, plus a tremendous hotel with 450 rooms, 500 homes, 950 condos, and 36 golf villas," the Daily Record quoted him, as saying.

"It's a great project. I feel very confident of the outcome but we'll see. I'm used to this. I've been doing this all my life. The funny thing is, my buildings start out being unpopular but in the end, everybody loves them.Half the people who fought Trump Tower (in New York), who picketed on the sidewalk, are now living in the building," he added.

Protesters claimed the resort - part of which would be on sand dunes in a protected Special Site of Scientific Interest - would have a major impact on wildlife and destroy a beautiful part of Scotland.

The plans, including the "world's greatest golf course", were thrown out by an Aberdeenshire Council committee in November. But in the blazing row that followed, the committee chairman was sacked and the Scottish government called in the plans. First Minister Alex Salmond soon came under pressure after it emerged he had met Trump officials the day before that decision.

Trump is certain he'll get the green light when June's public inquiry in Aberdeen rules on the blueprint.

ANI