Thousands of people have objected to plans for a huge housing estate at United States President Donald Trump’s golf complex near Aberdeen.
The Trump Organisation wants to build 550 homes, golfing chalets and a sports centre next to the Trump International Golf Links north of the Scottish city.
Planners have received more than 3000 objections and another 19,000 people have signed an online petition opposing the development.
Aberdeenshire Council has not decided if it will accept the online objections, gathered on the 38 Degrees website.
Many are from the village of Balmedie, where the development would take place and locals claims it would cause traffic chaos and breaches the local plan.
They add that Trump has also failed to comply with a Government inspector’s directive to fund infrastructure projects as a condition of the golf resort being approved.
These include upgrades to the sewage network, a new school and a range of community facilities.
Local councillor Martin Ford claimed the number of objections is the biggest ever received for a planning application in Aberdeenshire.
Trump built his golf resort in 2007 amid controversy over damage to protected sand dunes at the site.
Despite this, many people were in favour of the plan, including in Balmedie, as it promised to bring jobs to the area.
The resort, featuring a championship course, five-star hotel, flats and shops was rejected by local planners but later approved by the Scottish government on appeal.
Mr Ford said views of Trump had changed since he became President: “Mr Trump has the reputation of an international pariah, and his proposed housing scheme is evidently unpopular.”
Trump Organisation also has plans to add a second course at the loss-making resort, which recorded a deficit of £1.2m last year.
Robin Priestley of 38 Degrees said it was “eye-opening” to see how unpopular Trump had become.
“Trump’s broken promises to protect the beautiful Scottish landscape and boost the economy aren’t going to wash this time. The public want the council to hold him to account.”
Trump’s son Eric, who runs Trump Organisation with his brother Donald Jr, claimed earlier this year that initial reaction to the plans had been “incredible.”
He added that they hoped to break ground on the development next year, subject to planning approval.
