Menie Estate Report by Suzanne Kelly

DONALD J TRUMP'S SCOTTISH ADVENTURE

Donald Trump promised much.  He delivered virtually nothing.  Instead he destroyed institutions, hassled the press, harmed the environment, and tread on rights.

Does that sound familiar to anyone?  That's what he did to Scotland before he did it to the USA. 

Here is a selection of some of my work on the subject.  The authority on Trump at Menie is of course Anthony Baxter.  Find his award-winning documentaries here:  http://www.montrosepictures.co.uk/

TRUMP AT THE MENIE ESTATE - IT's 2017 and Aberdeenshire Council are still failing to enforce Scotland's right to roam laws, have allowed Trump to get away with hiring security that harassed residents, visitors and journalists, and any planning deviations seem to be approved retrospectively.  The planners allowed the Trump organisation to call neighbour Michael Forbes, Top Scot of the Year 2012, a Bad Neighbour.  When questioned why the Council published the document containing the remark, they got rather coy and refused to explain or confirm.  Private Eye took up my story (greatly improving my original draft as you would expect).  More on this coming soon. 

NOVEMBER 2014


There have been several developments since this page was last updated; the most notable being the release of Anthony Baxter's and Richard Phinney's new documentary film, A Dangerous Game - here is a Guardian Review http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/jun/22/a-dangerous-game-edinburgh-2014-review-golf-donald-trump

The film had an unprecedented release in Cineworld Cinemas and in some areas was held over. 

The photos at the left hand side were taken in late October; it is almost impossible to get past the gate between Leyton Farm Road and the club parking; however this doesn't seem to interest the outdoor access officers.

Recent Aberdeen Voice articles include

http://aberdeenvoice.com/2014/11/trouble-trump-part-2-unresolved-problems/

and

http://aberdeenvoice.com/2014/10/trouble-trump-part-1-trump-dump/



Some photos from Michael and Sheila Forbes' farm - which Trump branded a 'pigsty'

 October 2013

Recent Aberdeen Voice articles can be found here: 

http://aberdeenvoice.com/2013/09/lies-damned-lies-trump-effect/ 


http://aberdeenvoice.com/2013/09/trump-wants-bigger-bunds-object-now/ 


http://aberdeenvoice.com/2013/09/milne-petition-committee-didnt-let-see/ 


 It hardly seems possible, but reports suggest that there is another breach of the approved plans at the Menie Estate.  Permission was given for a stone wall near the entrance (http://aberdeenvoice.com/2013/09/milne-petition-committee-didnt-let-see/) - but it seems a high wooden fence is going up.  More on this soon; thank you Sue Edwards for the information.

NEWSFLASH:  BBC'S PANORAMA TEAM PRODUCED A SEGMENT CALLED 'THE TROUBLE WITH TRUMP' IT WILL AIR ON 1 JULY AT 20:30 on BBC ONE.   I WAS HONOURED TO HAVE BEEN CALLED ON BY THE RESEARCHERS DURING THE COURSE OF THEIR INVESTIGATIONS FROM MARCH 2013.

Aberdeenshire's Menie Coastal area was a beautiful, unspoilt wildlife haven, with two SSSIs.  It should have been protected from development by law; its environment and wildlife should have been safeguarded.  The residents'  legal rights should have been upheld, and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code should have guaranteed trouble-free access to visitors and residents alike. 

But a variety of public and private sector interests had other ideas - the chief one to make money regardless of the environmental cost.

This page provides access to my report on the Menie Estate, and links which may be of use.

 Suzanne Kelly, March 2013  

 Getting the Scottish Outdoor Access Code enforced at the Menie Estate is problematic; on 1 July 2013 I  lodged a complaint with Aberdeenshire Council and the SNH concerning the lack of progress.  I had first written to the officers involved in February - virtually no improvements have been made.  The document on the right shows some highlights of the correspondence.

*  Scottish Enterprise recently released further information on its involvement with the Menie Estate development.  They lobbied, they funded, they commissioned a £30,000 feasibility study and provided £40,000 helicopter rides - to billionaire Trump.  Click the file on the right to read the letter Jack Perry sent to Donald Trump.

 

*  The Latest:  David Milne gave an impressive presentation to Holyrood - we hope that the inquiry requested will happen.

 

 

 

PETITION FOR A PUBLIC INQUIRY INTO THE HANDLING OF THE TRUMP RESORT 

Area Resident David Milne submitted an 11,000 strong petition to the Scottish Government on 11 March 2013 - but it is not too late to add your name to the list of those who want an inquiry into how the planning and other issues were handled.  Access the petition here: 

http://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/public-inquiry-into-handling-of-the-trump-resort 

 

 Systems Failure Report

Here is my compilation of a whole catalogue of issue which,  I believe, require comprehensive, transparent, independent review urgently: 

 

 

Menie_Estate_Appendix_final.pdf Menie_Estate_Appendix_final.pdf
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 Some Useful Links:-

you've been trumped - information about Anthony Baxter's award-winning documentary which brought the Menie story world-wide attention, and link to purchase the DVD

http://www.youvebeentrumped.com/youvebeentrumped.com/THE_MOVIE.html 

 

Tripping up Trump - the campaign group

http://www.trippinguptrump.com/ 

 

Aberdeen Voice - a free online citizen journalism news vehicle, 'by the people, for the people'.  There are many articles concerning Donald Trump, the Menie Estate and its residents.  There is a search facility.  Aberdeen Voice (I am one of several regular contributors) is funded by donations.

www.aberdeenvoice.com

 

 

 

More pages of mine: 

http://suzannekelly.yolasite.com/ 

http://oldsusannahsjournal.yolasite.com/  - contains updates, extra information and photos relating to my Aberdeen Voice stories