US billionaire Donald Trump was today accused of claiming he would create the world's greatest golf course to justify building it on environmentally sensitive land.
(Video: Trump arrives in Aberdeen)
US billionaire Donald Trump was today accused of claiming he would create the world's greatest golf course to justify building it on environmentally sensitive land.
The property tycoon denied the accusation, saying he believed all along that the site at the Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire could be the greatest in the world.
He was speaking at the first day of a public local inquiry into his plans to create a £1 billion golf resort.
Part of the course would be built on delicate sand dunes - a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
He was quizzed by a number of environmental groups this morning at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre.
David Tyldesley, of the RSPB, suggested that Mr Trump's original vision had been to create a "world class course" but not necessarily the world's best.
Mr Trump said: "Let me make it clear so we can perhaps save some time. I am looking to build the finest golf course in the world if given the chance to do it."
Mr Tyldesley said: "I don't doubt that it's an aspiration but can I put it to you that it is only a recent aspiration in order to justify the use of SSSI."
Mr Trump replied: "That is absolutely false - the moment I saw the site I thought it had the potential to be the greatest golf course in the world."
Mr Trump spent much of the time promoting his environmental credentials.
At one point chief reporter James McCulloch warned that there should be no calls from the crowd after Mr Trump described himself as "an environmentalist".
Mr Trump wants to build a development featuring two championship golf courses, a five star hotel and hundreds of houses.
Environmental groups are critical of the plans but many leading business figures have voiced their support.
Last year an Aberdeenshire Council Committee threw out the plans but the matter was then called in by the Scottish Government, which announced the inquiry.
Mr Trump travelled to Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis yesterday to visit the former home of his late mother.
The inquiry is expected to last three to four weeks.
Mr Trump later described the current state of the site as "kind of disgusting".
David Morris of the Ramblers' Association in Scotland asked him if the Aberdeenshire site was one of the best he had seen in the world. He said: "I don't think it is just now, I think it can be.
"There are dead bird carcasses, there are animals lying over the site which have been shot.
"Maybe some people are into that - I'm not."
Mr Morris then asked whether it would still be possible for the public to go to the sand dunes and watch golfers play, if it was within the law to do so.
Mr Trump said: "Subject to the law - but they don't go hand in hand.
"You don't want to be sitting with your family getting smashed by a golf ball."
The tycoon said he did not know how many people currently used the beach, but added that he personally never saw people there and that it seemed "pretty desolate".
He added: "Before, no one knew what it was. Now they are saying 'Menie, it's the greatest'."
Mr Trump repeatedly insisted that his development would help protect the dunes.
When asked by Mr Morris how far he was willing to compromise, Mr Trump replied: "In the US we have the expression 'half-assed'. Let's do it properly."
Trump seemed cheerful despite the gruelling session.
"I think it's going well, what do you think?" he said after the first session hearing. "I think we're swaying them."
