Although US billionaire Donald Trump has vowed to continue his fight against the offshore windfarm project near his Scottish golf resort after he lost a legal challenge to the plans, he is casting his eyes away from Scotland to Ireland. The background, as can be seen from earlier articles posted here, is that proposals to build the 11-turbine European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC) off the coast of Aberdeen (approved by the Scottish Government in March last year) are bitterly opposed by the outspoken, brash American tycoon, who claims it would spoil the view from his luxury golf course. That’s right… just the view… The wind turbines are so far away from the coast that they would have no impact on those playing golf, unless their putt on the 18th hole would be distracted by a silent turbine blade miles out to sea and hardly visible.
Trump International Golf Club Scotland and the Trump Organisation challenged the decision to the Court of Session in Edinburgh for a judicial review of the Scottish Government’s decision but after a hearing lasting several days in November, Scottish judge Lord Doherty (picture below) dismissed their petition. Mr Trump has been quoted as saying he would appeal against the ruling.
In what may be seen a fit of pique it seems he has snubbed Scotland because he has bought his first links golf course in Ireland; the Doonbeg Golf Club in County Clare (pictured below).
Trump’s organisations are rabidly anti wind power and said:
“Communities worldwide continue to challenge the destructive proliferation of wind turbines and we will remain a fierce opponent at the forefront of this battle. Despite today’s decision, the EOWDC proposal has numerous economic and legal obstacles that will ultimately prevent its construction.”
Environmental and renewable campaigners welcomed Lord Doherty’s decision. Under the plans, the offshore turbines will have an installed capacity of up to 100MW and over one year would be capable of yielding, on average, enough electricity to power 68,000 UK households.
Scottish ministers are pleased that the court has found in their favour. In a statement one said:
“The proposed European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre is an important project for Aberdeen and north-east Scotland. It will give the industry the ability to test and demonstrate new technologies to accelerate its growth. Aberdeen is already of global importance for hydrocarbons and this wind deployment centre cements its role in renewable offshore development, further positioning Aberdeen as the energy capital of Europe and a world energy centre.”
Green MSP Patrick Harvie, said:
“Donald Trump is a man who actually peddles the paranoid fantasy that climate change is a communist conspiracy. Scotland can’t afford to waste another second on him.”
Trump also alleged that Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond had secretly interfered to make sure the decision to approve the EOWDC proposals.
Lest we forget and lose perspective, the offshore wind farm will comprise a mere 11 turbines and they will be sited over two miles away from the coast.
The Doonbeg resort was put up for sale earlier this year, reportedly priced at £12.4m, boasting an Atlantic seascape that stretches for 2.5 miles and a 218-room hotel with a spa and restaurants.
Trump said:
“Doonbeg is an already terrific property that we will make even better – it will soon be an unparalleled resort destination with the highest standards of luxury.”
One wonders what would happen if the Irish Government approved an offshore wind farm within distant sight of the Doonbeg resort…
