It is now more than two-and-a-half years since Donald Trump flew into Aberdeen in a private jet emblazoned with his name in gold letters and announced he wanted to spend hundreds of millions creating the best golf course in the world.

It is now more than two-and-a-half years since Donald Trump flew into Aberdeen in a private jet emblazoned with his name in gold letters and announced he wanted to spend hundreds of millions creating the best golf course in the world.

Since that day his proposals have never been far from the headlines, having inspired the business community, and probably the majority of the north-east population, but incensed environmentalists.

The £1bn application for a golf resort - with a luxury hotel, 500 homes, almost 1000 holiday homes and a course on which the flamboyant American hopes one day to host the Open - had been called in by the Scottish Government after being refused by an Aberdeenshire Council committee on the casting vote of its controversial chairman Martin Ford, who was later sacked.

A Holyrood inquiry into the way the government handled the planning application process later accused Alex Salmond, the First Minister, in whose constituency the proposed development lies, of being "cavalier" in his dealings with the US tycoon's firm and senior planning officers.

This summer there was a four-week public inquiry in to the plans and three weeks ago Scotland's chief reporter made his recommendations to John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, who has accepted them.

"I am content that there has been an efficient, transparent and inclusive process, led by Scotland's chief reporter, which has taken account of all of the relevant issues and the views expressed before, during and after the public inquiry," Mr Swinney said yesterday.

"Having given careful consideration to the issues and arguments, I agree with the reporters' findings and reasoning, and with their recommendation that outline planning permission should be granted, subject to the satisfactory prior conclusion of necessary legal agreements.

"The reporters found there was significant economic and social benefit to be gained from this project, which has been a major consideration in my decision to grant outline planning permission."

The Scottish Government has now indicated it will approve outline planning permission if the Trump Organisation agrees to a number of conditions relating to aspects including the environment, protection of the dunes, public access, landscaping and roads.

They will also have to sort out a legal agreement with Aberdeenshire Council about the provision of 100 affordable homes, a primary school with playing fields, a £500,000 contribution of community facilities, the establishment of the Menie environmental management advisory group, and a local training and employment strategy.

Christine Gore, Aberdeenshire's planning director, said she did not envisage any problems. "Since the application was submitted we have had an effective communication with the Trump Organisation and their advisers, and what would normally happen at this stage is that we would work with the applicant to ensure there weren't any difficulties," she said.

"They want this to happen, the council wants this to happen and we will now work together in partnership to make it happen."

When the outline planing permission is granted the Trump Organisation will submit detailed planning applications for the various parts of the development. These applications will go before the Formartine area committee.

Mr Salmond played no role in yesterday's decision.