A CAMPAIGN to stop the Trump Organization building another golf course in Scotland has gathered over 30,000 signatures - but will not be formally considered.

Proposals were submitted for a second 18-hole course at Balmedie in 2015, with councillors yet to make a decision.

Now it has emerged campaigners have collected over 32,000 signatures from people opposed to the US President's plans.

Members of campaign organisation 38 Degrees presented the petition to Isobel Davidson, chairwoman of the Formartine area committee.

But Robert Gray,  Aberdeenshire Council’s head of planning and building standards, said that the deadline  for representations to be made was November 26, 2015 "and so this petition will not formally be considered when councillors discuss it".

The Herald:

He added: “The planning service is however aware of the petition and if there is anything new within it which ought to be considered as part of the application, this will be done.

“Members of the public have 21 days from the date of publication of this type of application to make representations, which will only be considered as part of the decision making process if they relate to a material planning consideration.”

A Survation opinion poll suggested 68 percent of people in Scotland do not want another Trump course.

When "don't knows" are included in the figures, 53% said they are opposed to the course, 25% supported it and 22% don't know.

Stewart Kirkpatrick, head of Scotland for 38 Degrees, said: "After the first course failed to deliver the promised investment and jobs bonanza, Scots now feel the new plan just won't bring economic benefits to the area."

Proposals were submitted by the Trump Organisation for the course in 2015, three years after Trump International Golf Links opened.

But is has faced huge opposition from locals.

The Herald:

But Sarah Malone, executive vice president of Trump International Golf Links Scotland, said the existing course "has brought significant economic benefits to the tourism industry and put Aberdeenshire on the world map", adding that the plan for a second course "continues to attract great support".

"The detractors who make these ignorant and false statements should be ashamed,” she said.

"At a time when the north east of Scotland is so focused on the diversification of its economy, the Trump investment and future plans have never been more critical."

She also said the argument to build world-class golf and leisure facilities at Menie Estate was fought and won 10 years ago, which included a second golf course.

“Planning consent has already been granted and the project continues to attract great support," she said.