DONALD Trump expects his plan for a second 18-hole golf course at his Scottish coastal estate to go through more smoothly than the first project.
The American tycoon said he was keen to avoid a repeat performance of an earlier battle with environmental objectors after he built his Trump International Golf Links on Balmedie dunes, at Menie Estate north of Aberdeen.
He expressed his hopes during a tour of the estate with relatives to publicise the course, basing his expectations on the fact his second course does not impinge on highly protected land, unlike the first, which controversially covered a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
He said the protected mobile dune system was now stabilised and was part of a particularly challenging hole on the course.
Mr Trump, who has also been involved in a spat with First Minister Alex Salmond over plans for offshore wind turbines, said: "None of it is protected territory, in terms of SSSI, and it should go, and has been going, very smoothly.
"Even though many, many golf courses are built in SSSI, we don't have it in this case. It's really going very well. Everyone wants it to happen."
The Trump Organisation says it will add to the existing environmental impact study rather than have to start again.
A more detailed planning application is due to be lodged with Aberdeenshire Council in August and work is then expected to last about 18 months, said course architect Dr Martin Hawtree.
Marram grass is planned for planting from November, before work begins to cover a vast swathe of sand among dunes close to the edge of Balmedie Country Park.
The second course covers more low-lying land, including fields and areas of heather.
It will be named The MacLeod Course to reflect the ancestry of Mr Trump's mother Mary MacLeod, of Stornoway.
Despite his hopes for smooth progress, Mr Trump has dug in his heels in a separate planning battle pitting him against Mr Salmond.
The course hotel and other housing is on hold for as long as plans exist for an offshore wind farm in view of the estate.
"The hotel, I will not build," Mr Trump insisted. "Wind farms are a disaster for the environment. They kill the birds, they're very expensive in terms of energy, they're made in China and, frankly, I don't know where Scotland benefits. They're a total disaster for the environment."
A major company behind the wind-turbine development, Vattenfall, has already reined in its investment. "Whoever buys it is going to lose a tremendous amount of money," Mr Trump said.
"Only a fool would buy it. It's a totally ridiculous project. I think we're very close to having it abandoned."
He had previously claimed he was misled about the offshore development's location.
Asked if he believed Mr Salmond deceived him, Mr Trump replied: "Yes, he did."
The course tour was marked with the granting of a six-star award from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences.
Its president, Joseph Cinque, handed over a plaque bestowing the development with the accolade "best golf course worldwide".
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