Outline planning approval has been given for development on five areas of land within the Menie estate, near Balmedie, that could form part of wider plans for Donald Trump's major golf resort development.

The Formartine Area Committee, meeting in Ellon yesterday, heard that applicants Trump International Golf Links Scotland would have to resolve land ownership issues before any of the five sites could be developed.

As discussions began, Committee Chairman Cllr John Loveday reaffirmed to councillors and members of the public that site ownership was not something that could be considered by members at the meeting.

"Land ownership is not a planning matter and certainly has no relevance whatsoever to the planning applications we have in front of us today," he said.

A report before Aberdeenshire councillors recommended the approval of five applications relating to Leyton Farm, Hermit Point, Leyton Cottage, Mill of Menie and Menie Fishing Station (as one application), and a council owned site.

A call by Councillor Debra Storr to defer consideration of the applications due to the lack of availability of letters of representation on the Aberdeenshire Council website was rejected, as was her call for a public hearing.

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Planner Sonya Galloway said that in planning terms there was 'no sound land use reason' for not supporting the applications.

Addressing concerns raised by some objectors about the lack of specific environmental impact assessments for the sites, the planner added this had been discussed by Scottish Natural Heritage but deemed to be unnecessary.

The committee went on to hear from a number of speakers, including architect Gareth Hoskins, who is developing the project's masterplan.

He said that, although development could proceed based on the original planning permission, incorporating the five 'pockets' of additional land would help address planning conditions and allow for better planning of the resort.

Responding to questions from the committee, Mr Hoskins added that a series of public engagement events were due to take place in the future.

Members also heard from objectors to the development, including Judy Pringle, who questioned why the five sites had not been included in the original planning application – a point echoed by later speaker Sue Edwards.

Hermit Point resident and owner David Milne argued that planning permission, if granted, would be unlawful without individual environmental assessments.

Councillor Rob Merson went on to move approval of the applications, in line with planners’ recommendations, and was supported by Councillor Isobel Davidson.

Cllr Storr called for the applications to be rejected, arguing that the applicant had not proved that the inclusion of the sites would significantly improve the overall development, and was supported by Councillor Paul Johnston.

Confirming his support for the motion, Cllr Loveday said he nonetheless sympathised with landowners and that it would have been a lot easier for everyone if the sites had been included in the original application.

He added: "This is obviously a very good thing for the whole area. How we move on now from this point is really up to the applicant and not up to us."

Cllr Merson's motion was supported by nine votes to two. The permission has been approved in principle and subject to a range of conditions, including the submission of a masterplan for the whole development by Trump International Golf Links Scotland.

(GK/BMcC)