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Donald Trump faces new wind farm hell at Turnberry
Credit: By Andrew Whitaker | The Scotsman | 29 April 2014 | www.scotsman.com ~~
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Translate: FROM English | TO English
A controversial wind farm could be installed overlooking a luxury golf resort the flamboyant US tycoon Donald Trump is set to take over in a £35 million deal, it has been claimed.
The news comes after billionaire and arch wind power sceptic lost a high profile court battle against the Scottish Government’s approval of an offshore wind farm at his course at the Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire.
However, a government agency said an offshore turbine could be installed on land near the prestigious Turnberry course in South Ayrshire, where Trump is reported to be on the verge of making his latest acquisition.
Marine Scotland has identified a 116-square mile area for possible offshore wind development – off the Ayrshire coast just 3.5 miles from the shoreline at Turnberry as part of its policy of promoting renewable and green energy.
The Scottish government agency in a document called “Scoping study for Offshore Wind Farm Development in Scottish Waters” earmarked the land at Turnberry as possible land for future renewable energy development.
Trump, who currently owns 16 golf resorts around the globe, is understood to be close to buying the Turnberry course from owners Leisurecorp – a subsidiary of the Dubai government.
However, Trump, who is a longstanding opponent of wind farms, could pull out of the investment at Turnberry it was claimed by the head of Holyrood’s energy committee Murdo Fraser.
The billionaire has already called a halt to any future major investment at his Menie golf resort including the development of a luxury 140-bedroom hotel, due to the SNP government’s backing for the expansion of wind farms.
Nationalist ministers were accused of a “gung-ho approach” to renewables and of putting jobs and investment at risk with their plans to rely on wind farms for the bulk of Scotland’s energy needs.
Mr Fraser, a Tory MSP, warned that Trump would not pursue investment in Scotland and was almost certain to scrap any plans to buy Turnberry
He said: “Given Mr Trump’s aggressive opposition to the project off his Menie resort, it’s hard to imagine him pursuing this while the possibility of offshore wind remains.
“It’s another example of the Scottish Government’s gung-ho approach to turbines potentially costing jobs and investment.
“Even without Mr Trump’s interest, the idea of turbines looming over one of Scotland’s most famous landmarks is appalling.
“There is definitely a place for offshore wind, but it has to be in a place where it isn’t going to ruin the landscape.”
Trump previously accused Alex Salmond of being “hell bent on destroying Scotland’s coastline” with wind power in his longstanding battle with the SNP leader on the issue.
The businessman in a letter to Mr Salmond said: “Do you want to be known for centuries to come as ‘Mad Alex – the man who destroyed Scotland’?
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