Donald Trump suffers defeat over big golf course plan in Scotland

Nov 29, 2007, 17:49 GMT

London - Controversial plans by US property tycoon Donald Trump to build a luxury golf resort in Scotland were Thursday thrown out by a local council following a deadlocked vote.

Trump's plan to invest 1 billion pounds (2.06 billion dollars) to build the massive complex at Balmedie, near Aberdeen, on the east coast of Scotland, was rejected by the infrastructure services committee of Aberdeenshire Council.

The rejection followed a casting vote after a tie. Trump, whose scheme included two champion golf courses, around 1,000 holiday homes and 36 golf villas, could appeal the decision.

But Trump's spokesman, George Sorial, said Thursday no decision had been taken on an appeal. He indicated that the project could be 'transplanted to somewhere else in Europe.'

'We are extremely disappointed, surprised and shocked, this is not what we expected,' said Sorial. 'We always have options,' he added.

Members of the committee voted against the proposal. The casting vote on whether to reject or defer the decision was made by committee chairman Martin Ford after a 7-7 deadlock.

The responsible local planning authority had earlier granted an outline planning permission for the development, but farmers opposed to the project stubbornly refused to sell their plots.

Trump had won the backing of leading tourism and business figures in the region, but his plans were opposed by environmental and local campaigners.

After winning the planning permission last week, Trump said: 'I'll be spending billions of dollars in a very great country and I look forward to spending the money.'