Latest news with #AberdeenshireCouncil
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Bond star Sir Sean drove through my golf course plans, claims Donald Trump
Sir Sean Connery helped secure consent for Donald Trump 's first golf course in Aberdeenshire, Donald Trump has claimed. The US president attributed the approval of the course at the Menie estate to an intervention from the late James Bond actor. During his speech at the ribbon-cutting ceremony yesterday, Mr Trump said: 'This has been an unbelievable development. 'The land, they said it couldn't get zoned, it was an impossibility, and Sean Connery said 'let the bloody bloke build his golf course'. 'Once he said that everything came into line. John (Swinney) and I were talking about that last night.' He added: 'Sean Connery helped get me the permits. If it wasn't for Sean Connery we wouldn't have those great courses.' In 2008 Sir Sean is reported to have spoken about the golf project, saying: 'During tough economic times, this is a major vote of confidence in Scotland's tourist industry and our ability to rise to the challenge. 'I look forward to seeing a new gem in the north-east that is good for Aberdeenshire and good for Scotland.' Asked about the comment, Mr Swinney said two committees of Aberdeenshire Council had come to different decisions about the application, causing a 'paralysis' about the situation. He said: 'I took a decision to call in the application to determine it, I asked the most experienced Reporter in Scotland at the time, Jim McCulloch, to lead the public local inquiry into the application, which he did with the professionalism Jim McCulloch would bring to everything and determined in favour. That's the due process.' Pressed on whether Sir Sean had no involvement, he said: 'Well, that's an explanation of the due process.' In 2020, Trump described Sir Sean as a 'great actor and an even greater man,' adding that the Scot was 'so highly regarded' it had helped him get the go-ahead for the Menie development. In 2007, plans to build the golf resort were thrown into disarray when Aberdeenshire Council refused to grant planning permission for the project. However, Mr Swinney, then the finance secretary later 'called in' the decision. Shortly after, former First Minister Alex Salmond met senior Trump aides who were then invited to meet with Scotland's chief planner. That sparked claims Mr Salmond - who was also the area's constituency MSP - had tried improperly to influence the planning process, prompting Holyrood's local government committee to launch a probe. Although cleared of any serious wrongdoing, Mr Salmond's actions were branded 'cavalier' in a report by MSPs that said he had shown poor judgment in meeting Mr Trump's aides. The development was approved in November 2008, on the basis that it would have 'significant economic and social benefit'. Martin Ford, the Aberdeenshire councillor who was chair of the planning committee that initially refused Trump's application to build the resort, later tried to shoot down those claims. He had told the Guardian: 'Mr Connery was not involved in the due process that led to the granting of planning permission for a golf resort at Menie. 'He did not submit a letter of representation to the council, appear at the planning hearing, or at the public local inquiry.'
The Independent
9 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Trump suggests Sir Sean Connery helped get his golf resort plans ‘into line'
Donald Trump suggested late James Bond actor Sir Sean Connery's support for his golf resort in Aberdeenshire helped him secure permission for the development. Mr Trump even attempted to recreate the late actor's voice as he addressed a crowd of invited guests and media in Menie on Tuesday. In 2008, Sir Sean described Mr Trump's proposals to develop the land in north-east Scotland as 'terrific' – though he did not know what the local impact would be. John Swinney said the controversial proposals were handled with 'due process' by the Scottish Government's planning reporter. During the final day of his trip to Scotland, Mr Trump hit the first ball at the New Course in Menie. He was joined by members of his family including his sons Donald Jnr and Eric – the latter of whom has overseen the creation of the course. At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the president said: 'This has been an unbelievable development. 'The land, they said it couldn't get zoned, it was an impossibility. 'And Sean Connery said 'let the bloody bloke build his golf course'. 'Once he said that everything came into line. John (Swinney) and I were talking about that last night.' The president met First Minister Mr Swinney on Monday evening for a private dinner, and the two had a more formal meeting on Tuesday ahead of the course opening. The president also said: 'We started with a beautiful piece of land, but we made it much more beautiful.' Mr Swinney spoke to journalists about his earlier exchange with the president and the suggestion that Sir Sean helped to secure permission for the golf courses. The First Minister said it was matter of 'historical record' that two committees of Aberdeenshire Council came to different conclusions on Mr Trump's proposals, which had proved divisive in the area. Mr Swinney said that as a minister at the time he had taken a decision to 'call in' the application, with a government reporter reviewing the planning application according to 'due process'. Asked if Sir Sean had no involvement, the First Minister said: 'Well, that's an explanation of the due process.' Opponents of the development were concerned about the environmental impact and staged a high-profile campaign against the plans. In August 2008, Sir Sean spoke of his enthusiasm for Mr Trump's plans for the north-east of Scotland. He told an audience in Edinburgh he had met the businessman after the plans were announced, saying: 'I said 'Well, I think it's terrific'. 'But I had no idea what local repercussions would be. 'My first response was I couldn't see anything but benefits for that part of Scotland because it's pretty neglected, apart from the oil fields.'
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump suggests Sir Sean Connery helped get his golf resort plans ‘into line'
Donald Trump suggested late James Bond actor Sir Sean Connery's support for his golf resort in Aberdeenshire helped him secure permission for the development. Mr Trump even attempted to recreate the late actor's voice as he addressed a crowd of invited guests and media in Menie on Tuesday. In 2008, Sir Sean described Mr Trump's proposals to develop the land in north-east Scotland as 'terrific' – though he did not know what the local impact would be. John Swinney said the controversial proposals were handled with 'due process' by the Scottish Government's planning reporter. During the final day of his trip to Scotland, Mr Trump hit the first ball at the New Course in Menie. He was joined by members of his family including his sons Donald Jnr and Eric – the latter of whom has overseen the creation of the course. At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the president said: 'This has been an unbelievable development. 'The land, they said it couldn't get zoned, it was an impossibility. 'And Sean Connery said 'let the bloody bloke build his golf course'. 'Once he said that everything came into line. John (Swinney) and I were talking about that last night.' The president met First Minister Mr Swinney on Monday evening for a private dinner, and the two had a more formal meeting on Tuesday ahead of the course opening. The president also said: 'We started with a beautiful piece of land, but we made it much more beautiful.' Mr Swinney spoke to journalists about his earlier exchange with the president and the suggestion that Sir Sean helped to secure permission for the golf courses. The First Minister said it was matter of 'historical record' that two committees of Aberdeenshire Council came to different conclusions on Mr Trump's proposals, which had proved divisive in the area. Mr Swinney said that as a minister at the time he had taken a decision to 'call in' the application, with a government reporter reviewing the planning application according to 'due process'. Asked if Sir Sean had no involvement, the First Minister said: 'Well, that's an explanation of the due process.' Opponents of the development were concerned about the environmental impact and staged a high-profile campaign against the plans. In August 2008, Sir Sean spoke of his enthusiasm for Mr Trump's plans for the north-east of Scotland. He told an audience in Edinburgh he had met the businessman after the plans were announced, saying: 'I said 'Well, I think it's terrific'. 'But I had no idea what local repercussions would be. 'My first response was I couldn't see anything but benefits for that part of Scotland because it's pretty neglected, apart from the oil fields.'
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Palestine protestors heckle Donald Trump's helicopter
Ahead of US President Donald Trump's visit to the region, around 100 protestors assembled outside the White Horse Inn in bucolic Balmedie, surrounded by a sea of national and international press. Demonstrators gather outside the White Horse Inn. (Image: Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco) After a series of speeches, the group marched along leafy streets and woodland walks towards the town's park. Uniformed police blocked roads and diverted traffic as the group made their way through the small town, as curious locals looked on, snapping photos and rubbernecking from passing cars. Stopping for lunch at a nearby cafe prior to the protest, the police presence was easy to spot – a large van full of bored-looking officers sat prominently in the corner of the car park. 'I think he's done more for the local economy with all the negative publicity than he did during all his years building the golf course,' a friendly woman behind the counter said. Indeed, the cafe was nearly full, as fellow journalists and their photographer companions lunched on cheese toasties and cups of tea. Protestors waved Palestinian flags. (Image: Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco) Later, at the White Horse, protestors were more than happy to chat. 'Trump doesn't deserve to be here,' the Loch Ness sign woman said. 'The people of Scotland don't deserve this to happen here.' 'I blame Alex Salmond,' her companion added. 'Aberdeenshire Council voted against him and Alex Salmond overturned their decision.' Indeed, the Scottish Government's decision to allow Mr Trump to build a golf course at the sprawling Menie Estate, which opened in 2012, came as a surprise to many, especially given the ecologically fragile sand dunes surrounding the area. Indeed, as Mr Trump returns to the region to open a second course, the sullen memory of his first remains. Nicola Seal, a former ecologist and mum of two, organised the event. Between directions issued from a loudspeaker, she told The Herald: 'As an ecologist, I know how very vulnerable and fragile those dune systems are. 'When I heard that he was building a golf course here, I was absolutely appalled. We don't need another golf course, and we certainly don't need one built by him. 'It's an extremely expensive golf course that makes a massive loss anyway.' I asked Seal what she thinks about Mr Trump's appeals to his Scottish roots. She said: 'I think he's the least Scottish person in the world. Scottish values are about inclusivity and tolerance. 'We are historically a very tolerant and inclusive and left leaning society. And he is as far away from that as you can possibly get.' Two people unfurled a banner asking Mr Trump a series of questions. (Image: Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco) Seal added: 'It's an absolute joke that he goes on about his Scottish roots. I mean, I'm more Scottish than he is and I'm bloody English. 'He should sod off. The way he uses that as justification for coming and ruining our countryside and then making demands of our leaders and telling us what to do.' 'We need renewable energy and the world works on immigrants. We welcome immigrant labour into Scotland because we need it. 'He doesn't represent Scottish values, he's the antithesis of everything that is Scottish.' Finishing their march in a car park in Balmedie Country Park, protestors were in full view of uniformed police stationed in the dunes surrounding Mr Trump's golf course. There, demonstrators shouted slogans and waved flags as they awaited Mr Trump's arrival. However, an extensive press conference at Turnberry, in which the notoriously long-winded president spoke on a range of topics, from Scottish independence to whisky tariffs, resulted in the day's schedule being pushed back. Read more: Donald Trump responds to John Swinney's new plan for independence vote Donald Trump says he has 'alternative' plans for Gaza during visit to Scotland 'Awa wi ye': What I saw at Donald Trump's frosty welcome in Aberdeen An original arrival time of 4.30 pm was soon abandoned. While some of the protestors went home, grumbling about the president's lack of punctuality, others sat down to eat packed dinners and chat with friends, refusing to let Mr Trump off the hook. 'Why is his visit so expensive?' one woman, who travelled cross country from Glasgow, asked her companion. 'With all the poverty going on, surely that money could be put to better use.' Around 4.45 pm, the remaining protestors, perhaps a dozen or so, scaled one of the beach's dunes, unfurling a large Palestinian flag on top of the hillside. 'We couldn't let him turn up without anyone to greet him,' one demonstrator quipped. 'It would seem like no one cared.' There, they awaited the arrival of Mr Trump. As the minutes stretched to hours, they continued to wait. Finally, at half past 6, the rumble of helicopter blades echoed across the horizon. And the assembled roared in their disgust, high atop the highest dune.
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Daily Record
Probe launched after woman filmed dragging dogs by necks in shocking clip
Kiki Sutherland is filmed dragging two pets around a garden in the horrifying clip recently taken at the house in Monymusk. The SSPCA has launched a probe after a disturbing video emerged of a woman dragging dogs by their necks at a property in Aberdeenshire. Kiki Sutherland, in her 60s, was filmed dragging the pets around a garden at a house in Monymusk in the horrifying clip. In the clip, Sutherland can be seen marching around the garden with the scruff of a Dachshund-type dog in her fist. She is then seen walking towards a Spaniel before grabbing him by the back of his neck, yanking him back, picking him up and throttling his loose skin. The Record spoke to the owner of the two-year-old spaniel involved in the sickening scene. Mark Lawrie said he was left "horrified" after watching the clip. The 55-year-old said: "I was sent the clip and I was absolutely horrified watching it. "She was so heavy handed with my dog, Buddy, when she didn't need to be at all. " Buddy is the most loving and affectionate dog with the sweetest nature - he's obedient and does most things you say. "You put your dog into the trust of someone else because you think they'll take good care of them. "It makes me feel sick that someone could handle Buddy like this when he is so gentle." On Facebook, Sutherland is the admin of a private pet group called 'Crazy Dog Crew'. Mark handed Buddy over to Sutherland for two weeks after his other dog came into season. He claims that she is known in the area for doing dog walks and boarding and he trusted her through word of mouth. But Mark said she offered to look after Buddy for free. He continued: "She took Buddy as a favour for me and no money was exchanged but it obviously raises concern if this is how she is treating animals. "Whether or not she takes money from others for it, I do not know, but I'm not happy with how she treated Buddy and my wife was crying after watching the clip. "She didn't need to manhandle him like that and she knows it. He would have just followed her to wherever she was going. She didn't need to use such force." Aberdeenshire Council confirmed that the property in Monymusk does not hold an animal boarding license. Both the local authority and SSPCA have confirmed investigations into the incident. A spokesperson for SSPCA said: "I can confirm that this has been reported to the SSPCA and is being investigated. "We are not able to provide any further comment into ongoing investigations." Animal Health Officers attended the property and spoke with the owner. "We can confirm that the premises does not hold an animal boarding license with Aberdeenshire Council. Investigations in respect of the incident continue."
