Taking on Trump...

[Nemesis]

Available until Monday to watch, or download:

http://independentrepublicofthecanongate.blogspot.com/2008/03/budget-day.html


Pave Paradise, put up a parking lot... well, it's called progress.

 

[Penners]

And I bet they didn't even put the trees in a tree museum.

 

[Ian Bond]

Mike Forbes, a real 'Local Hero'.

An Alan Partridge classic quote..

This is Radio Norwich, and that was Big Yellow Taxi by Joni Mitchell, a song in which Joni complains that they 'paved paradise to put up a parking lot', a measure which actually would have alleviated traffic congestion on the outskirts of paradise, something which Joni singularly fails to point out, because it doesn't quite fit with her blinkered view of the world. It's 4.37 a.m. and you're listening to 'Up with The Partridge'..............

 

[Penners]

:lol: :lol:

 

[Ian Bond]

Having now watched that programme in full, respect also to Martin Ford.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article2980671.ece

Another person of rare principle and courage, who has been comprehensively shafted for his trouble.

Thank you for letting us know about this programme Nemesis - I had missed the original broadcast.

 

[Penners]

Coincidentally, I watched Local Hero again on TV, last night. It definitely has parallels with the Donald Trump golf course story.

Such a wonderful film, with gorgeous music by Mark Knopfler. If anyone hasn't seen it, do make strong efforts to do so - you won't be disappointed.

 

[Nemesis]

I understand the public inquiry starts in around ten weeks.

Scotland is under seige from all sorts who see it ripe for development... naturally, they deem it 'progress', and many politicians are being made to see the Emperor's new clothes...

 

[Flyfisher]

Duly approved: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/7700074.stm

 

[Pford75]

When the RSPB first mounted its campaign against the Cairngorm funicular, it canvassed its 1 million+ members with a standard letter of objection to the proposals. Only about 1,300 members bothered to send it in - which suggests that the remaining circa 1 million either supported the project or didn't care one way or the other - but the RSPB continued its campaign against the development. So much for democracy

It might not be a popular view, but I'm looking forward to playing the course when it's finished.

 

[Nemesis]

It's an appalling decision, based on short term politics - but that is Scottish planning for you at the moment. National policies are all swept aside in the face of 'economic gain'.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/jun/13/donaldtrump.scotland

It's the spoiling of the SSSI that's the real issue.

However, groups including Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and RSPB Scotland opposed the project due to Mr Trump's plans to build part of a course on sensitive sand dunes.

MSP Patrick Harvie said: "The fact that this project has been approved in its entirety demonstrates a blatant disregard for the legal protections these dunes are under.

"We can only hope that the current economic crisis tears a hole in his business plan, and that he fails to get the money he needs to fund the project. Even the credit crunch must surely have a silver lining."

Rob Ashlin of the Sustainable Aberdeenshire group, which opposed the development, said: "I think this is a damning verdict.

"Donald Trump is not just planning a recreational facility, it is a huge housing development that goes against Aberdeenshire Council's planning policy.

"It's very disappointing."

Aedan Smith, head of planning and development at RSPB Scotland, said: "RSPB Scotland is surprised and extremely disappointed at this decision, which we believe is wrong both for Aberdeenshire and for Scotland.

"The development will cause the destruction of a dune system, with its precious wildlife, on a site which is protected by law and should continue to be available for future generations to enjoy.

"We, and the thousands of other objectors, consider that this is too high a price to pay for the claimed economic benefits from this development."

No doubt you are looking forward to seeing the development of 'luxury' homes which many feel is the real development Trump wanted, and the ghastly buildings for the 'golf village and luxury hotel' - Disney meets Scottish Baronial - which A+DS slated too.

http://www.e-architect.co.uk/aberdeen/trump_golf_links.htm

Location: Menie House, Balmedie, north of Aberdeen
Architects: Wimberly Allison Tong and Goo (USA); Jenkins & Marr (Aberdeen) - SMC Jenkins & Marr as of late 2006
Developers: Trump International

A+DS view on the architecture: it will "devalue the Scottish architectural tradition"

Donald Trump Scottish Golf Links - News Update, 3 Nov 2008:
Donald Trump granted permission today - subject to Section 75 agreement (effectively kicking it back to Aberdeenshire Council) - by the Scottish government to build a golf resort on a site of special scientific interest.
Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney overruled the local authority's rejection of the proposal. Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond added: "The economic and social benefits for the North East of Scotland substantially outweigh any environmental impact."
Alex Salmond's view has a certain logic, but there was no need for part of one of the courses to breach the SSSI. Surely a starting point for any application is that it doesn't break the rules. Other new golf courses around the country have managed to be built without damaging national heritage. Given the impending Glenrothes by-election this result will come as no surprise, though slightly earlier than expected by many.
The resort has to be developed in a certain way: golf course first, then phased. Only half the housing has been approved (probably not too problematic given current economic conditions). Which brings us to whether the resort will truly come to frutition given the severity of the current economic collapse?

Trump Golf Links
Donald Trump's 500 houses, 950 timeshare flats & hotel attacked by Simon Jenkins who rightly argues it would be an environmental outrage to allow approval

Oh well, there's no accounting for taste.

(Of course, the RSPB has adopted policies - that's part of democracy too.)


Can't see the attraction at all of golf.

 

[Nemesis]

Golf Course Development
Breaking news: The Scottish Government has decided to grant outline planning permission for the application by Trump International Golf Links Scotland to develop a golf resort at Balmedie, Aberdeenshire, subject to satisfactory conclusion of legal agreements between the applicant and Aberdeenshire Council.
Speaking following the announcement that the Scottish Government has granted outline planning permission for the application by Trump International Golf Links Scotland to develop a golf resort at Balmedie, Aberdeenshire, Jonny Hughes, Head of Policy at the Scottish Wildlife Trust said:

“The Scottish Wildlife Trust is extremely disappointed about this decision. We have stood alongside RSPB as well as the Scottish Government’s own conservation advisors (Scottish Natural Heritage) and the many concerned members of the local community in demanding that the Government assesses the development not only on its economic merits, but also on the considerable detrimental environmental impacts. This is a huge blow for the environment and sustainable development. The crazy thing is that there could easily have been both golf and environmental protection at Menie. Instead, Government Ministers have failed to deliver the sustainable part of their professed central purpose of ‘sustainable economic growth’. This decision will mean needless destruction to a unique and nationally important site.

The Scottish Wildlife Trust is now seeking clarification on the position and value of designated protected areas, as despite the site being of SSSI status this failed to prevent unsuitable development taking place on a habitat of conservation importance. We await a copy of planning approval conditions and to find out if the Government has made any concessions to the environment as part of these."

More:

http://www.swt.org.uk/Trump-Development/


According to the Scotsman there may be some restrictions on what can be done on the dunes, but Trump was adamant it was all or nothing, so it remains to be seen if this will actually go ahead.

The current political situation may have more to do with this than the desirability of the development. Salmond and Swinney - heaven help us.


http://www.menielinks.com/


Looks like some folk are still not swayed by the Trump gold, despite some being ' a parcel of rogues':

http://wildspirit.me.uk/?p=3751

 

[Penners]

Can't see the attraction at all of golf.

I can't remember who said it: "An expensive way of ruining a good walk".

Sailing: "Akin to standing fully clothed in a cold shower, tearing up ten pound notes."

 

[Pford75]

It was Mark Twain.

But since golf was first played as early as 1456 and Twain didn't emerge as a writer until the mid 1800's, I think history is on the side of golf.

Golf does seem to attract unusual levels of class-envy, when it is one of the oldest games globally still played by millions today.

 

[Nemesis]

Class envy?

I just tend to find it attracts some very tedious people, with very strange taste in clothing.

 

[Pford75]

Hmmm.. the estimated number of golfers worldwide is 32million......nothing like a good bit of stereotyping :wink:

 

[Nemesis]

Bit like 'class envy' then.

 

[Pford75]

touché

 

[Penners]

It was Mark Twain.

So it was. But then he had a pithy bon mot on most subjects:
http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Mark_Twain/

 

[Nemesis]

http://www.architecturescotland.co.uk/news/1010/Wilson%27s_Weekly_Wrap%3A_Sometimes_you_just_have_to_love_a_credit_crunch%2C_some_illumination_required_%26_Another_100_years_of_the_same.html

 

[Flyfisher]