Donald Trump’s plans for a luxury housing estate near his Scottish golf course have been approved - despite setting a new record for objections.
The President’s firm applied to Aberdeenshire Council for permission to put up 550 luxury homes near his resort last month.
More than 3,000 people formally objected to the plans, while another 19,000 signed an online petition against them.
Objections were raised over a lack of access, parking, and that the development would not help the local economy.
But councillors vote 38 for and 24 against plans after officials said the economic downturn made it the best offer on the table for the area.
The "Trump Estate" development includes a gym, an equestrian centre as well as space for shops and offices.
But homes there won't come cheap - at an average cost of £1.32 million, more than six times the average local house price of £204,873.
The homes will have between two and five bedrooms each and be a mix of cottages, townhouses and mansions.
A spokesperson for campaign group TrippingUpTrump, who created the petition against the development, told the Scotsman : “These homes will be unaffordable to anyone except the rich, featuring villas planned to sell for over £1 million."
They added: “This location is entirely inappropriate for a housing scheme; it’s far from amenities and is opposed by people living nearby."
Sarah Malone, Vice President at Trump International Golf Links Aberdeen, said: “Politically motivated and vexatious objections are not relevant within Scottish planning law.
“This project has tremendous support regionally, nationally and internationally.”
It seems the councillors agreed - clearing them to go ahead on Thursday.
The news comes days after the President's firm had a new 18-hole course, to be named MacLeod course after Trump’s mother Mary, was also approved in the area.
