DONALD Trump has been given the green light to build a halfway house on sand dunes at his Aberdeenshire golf resort.
The new kiosk will provide golfers with food and drink and toilet facilities at Trump International Golf Links on the Menie estate.
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Donald Trump has been given the green light to build new home at controversial Scots golf resort
The US president’s staff applied to Aberdeenshire Council for the halfway house, which will be designed in the style of Victorian train stations found in the northeastland.
It will sit just over a mile from the existing clubhouse within an area of land currently under development, with the site chosen after careful consideration to create “a practical ‘stop off’ point for passing users of the course.”
A second 18-hole course is due to open at the site later this year and the halfway house is considered “essential” to its successful operation.
The project has now been granted planning permission by the local authority.
In a submission to the council, Trump’s representatives said: “The purpose of this facility is to provide users of the course toilet facilities and the opportunity to purchase pre-prepared food and drinks during their time out on the course.
“This forms a supporting part of the infrastructure to the second Championship Links Course currently under construction on the Menie Estate and will be critical to the experience of users on this second course.
“The Half Way house has a long history with Scottish Golf, with a diverse range of scale and style ranging from small temporary structures to larger capacity venues.
“The applicants have a comprehensive and detailed knowledge of the requirements for such a Half Way house and the expectations of a guest to the property.
“This facility is considered by the applicant as essential to the successful operation of the new golf course and will aid in ensuring its long-term success, gaining recognition worldwide recognition as a destination course.”
In a written ruling, planning officials said: “The design and scale would not cause any detrimental impact to the character of the area or have an unacceptable impact on the natural environment.
“Its positioning has been chosen as a practical stop-off for users of the course and would sit adjacent to an existing pathway that will service the golf course.
“The topography of this area is undulating and the building will be screened by the dunes with little visibility from the north, east and south.
“This would be a building located in a well-screened position, providing an essential facility to the users of the resort, as well as to the general public.”
Trump is expected to visit Scotland this year for the opening of the new golf course.
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The controversial US President is expected to visit Scotland this yearCredit: Reuters
His son Eric Trump said his father will be present when the 18-hole links MacLeod Course at the resort opens in the summer.
If the visit goes ahead, it could be the first time Trump travels to Scotland since his victory in the US election.
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The Trump International Golf Links was opened by Trump in 2012 following a battle with environmental campaigners.
In 2022 Aberdeenshire Council granted permission in principle for 550 properties at the site.