REVEALED: THE £5M SECRET “SWEETENER” TO PAVE WAY FOR TRUMP RESORT By Neil Mackay THE AMERICAN tycoon Donald Trump is to receive free land worth an estimated £5 million from Aberdeenshire Council in a move that has been damned as a taxpayer funded sweetener.
The US developer wants to build a £1 billion luxury golfing resort at the Menie estate at Balmedie in Aberdeenshire. The public inquiry into the plans is expected to wrap up this week. Once it is complete the Scottish government can still order that the development does not go ahead.
Paul Johnston, the Lib-Dem councillor who represents the area in which Trump wants to build his resort, says Aberdeenshire Council has a policy of demanding that builders and developers provide some affordable housing - cheap houses for low income families - in return for being granted permission to work on major developments in the area.
The developers are required to provide the land and arrange for the building of the cheap housing. However, an official council document passed to the Sunday Herald shows that the local authority is going to gift the land build the cheap housing tto Trump so he can build 98 cheap homes.
Additionally, the council is to allow Trump to build an extra 52 "open market" homes - houses available on the mortgage market to buyers - on the free land.
Trump's primary development - the luxury golfing resort - will involve golf courses, a five-star hotel, 950 holiday homes, 500 upmarket houses and 36 golf villas. The council document states that the affordable housing site will be a "site or sites within Balmedie to be provided by the Council or a body nominated by the Council".
The value of the free land to be given to Trump comes in at about £5m. A similar stretch of land nearby in Chapelwell that had 150 housing units built on it sold for £2m five years ago.
Johnston said: "the Council is providing Mr Trump with £5m worth of land. People can try and spin this to sound as if he is providing 100 affordable houses to the people of Aberdeenshire, but that is not the case. We have to give him the land first. The Council could have built these homes on its own land. He has also been given land to build 52 houses of his own that he can sell."
Johnston said that Trump would be able to lower the costs of building his luxury golfing resort by bundling the development together with the affordable housing he is required to build. The Councillor also pointed out that the likely location of the cheap housing would overlook a rubbish tip.
"The consequence of this is that Mr Trump's luxury homes will be beside a hotel and a golf course, and the homes for poorer members of the community will have an open vista onto a pile of industrial waste."
The decision to gift the land to Trump was made in secret by Council officers who have the power to cut such deals - known as Section 75 agreements - without oversight from elected councillors. Even the precise location of the land is being kept secret. The document revealing the land handover only came to light as part of the ongoing public inquiry.
"We are giving land worth millions without any councillor approving it," said Johnston. "Is this best value for the electorate? Councillors cannot stop this happening. To me, this looks pretty much like a sweetener. Openness and transparency are needed in this sort of process. The Council has the power to do what it is doing, but whether it is the right thing to do is a completely different matter.
"Is this the right thing to do to hand Donald Trump a public subsidy to add to his profit? No. It is not. It is shocking. Council officials are dispensing assets worth millions. There is something wrong here. I think this is a pact with the devil."
Councillor Debra Storr, another Lib-Dem opponent of the Trump plans, said: "under normal circumstances, if we ask someone to provide affordable housing, they supply the land. In this case, we are supplying the land at no cost to Trump. It is land owned by the people. If we sold it, I believe we could get £5m for it.
"The Council has decided that rather than sell it, it is just going to give it to Trump. It appears that the Council is bending over backwards to facilitate this deal in a way I have never seen before. We are charged to achieve best value and this does not demonstrate best value. It doesn't seem to me to be a sensible use of resources to give land over without ensuring there is a significant public benefit."
Alistair Stark, former convenor of the Royal Town Planning Institute in Scotland and a planner who worked with Aberdeenshire Council until 2000, said: "it is vital for the integrity of the planning system that everything is in the open and above board. There must be no suspicion of back-room deals and this has the potential to smack of back-room deals."
George Sorial of the Trump Organisation said: "the Council identified to us the land where it wished the affordable housing to be built and we have worked with them to make that an integral part of an overall project that features many millions of pounds of investment by us. It is absurd to view the arrangement as some kind of inducement and it's important to stress that we're still discussing the details of that arrangement with the Council.
"The ongoing public inquiry is examining every aspect of this development in detail and those councillors opposing it should really be focusing on the inquiry and respecting its processes. They could have raised this at the inquiry and it is disgraceful they did not do so, presumably to avoid it being subject to cross-examination. They have no understanding of real estate development."
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Posted by: Los Angeles, Edinburgh on 5:56pm Sun 29 Jun 08
[quote]Additionally, the council is to allow Trump to build an extra 52 "open market" homes - houses available on the mortgage market to buyers - on the free land.[/quote] Aye, if oor cooncils are going tae be corrupt they may as well be absolutely corrupt!
You want a "bit" of Scotland. Why the modesty? Have a chunk!
Additionally, the council is to allow Trump to build an extra 52 "open market" homes - houses available on the mortgage market to buyers - on the free land.
Aye, if oor cooncils are going tae be corrupt they may as well be absolutely corrupt!
You want a "bit" of Scotland. Why the modesty? Have a chunk!
Posted by: Wardog, Buckie on 6:15pm Sun 29 Jun 08
There is something not quite right about how this has been reported here and I don't mean the Section 75 which is usually agreed with the local planning authority towards the latter stages of the application process.
What are the details of the Section 75 agreement?
Agreements under Section 75 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 are made between the local planning authority, the developer and landowners (in this case the local authority) as a condition to granting planning consent, usually involving mitigation measures and/or restoration of the development site after use.
This is to build 98 affordable homes and another 52 for sale homes.
This is NO DIFFERENT to what every other council in Scotland does, Glasgow City Council has done this to regenerate half of Glasgow with new social housing/for sale mixed developments, see the Gorbals, Clydeside and areas of the East End.
The mitigating factors that they contain are usually onerous on the developer, the provision of play spaces and or funding for specific facilities associated with the housing.
I fear that this is more clogs in the machine from the Lib Dems.
There is something not quite right about how this has been reported here and I don't mean the Section 75 which is usually agreed with the local planning authority towards the latter stages of the application process.
What are the details of the Section 75 agreement?
Agreements under Section 75 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 are made between the local planning authority, the developer and landowners (in this case the local authority) as a condition to granting planning consent, usually involving mitigation measures and/or restoration of the development site after use.
This is to build 98 affordable homes and another 52 for sale homes.
This is NO DIFFERENT to what every other council in Scotland does, Glasgow City Council has done this to regenerate half of Glasgow with new social housing/for sale mixed developments, see the Gorbals, Clydeside and areas of the East End.
The mitigating factors that they contain are usually onerous on the developer, the provision of play spaces and or funding for specific facilities associated with the housing.
I fear that this is more clogs in the machine from the Lib Dems.
Posted by: david, East Kilbride on 6:31pm Sun 29 Jun 08
Similar to Willie Haughey in the Gorbals . Crown St. - Eglinton ST. East/West
River Clyde - Caledonia Road North/South.
Haughey and syndicate are involved, and planning for this massive area is going through procedure at this moment.
Neil Mackey now there is a story for you. As close to the centre of Glasgow as you can get .. Prime site.. You will be aware that 2 multies were pulled down a few months ago and this was splashed over the national news.
Wardog is correct this story smells....
Similar to Willie Haughey in the Gorbals . Crown St. - Eglinton ST. East/West
River Clyde - Caledonia Road North/South.
Haughey and syndicate are involved, and planning for this massive area is going through procedure at this moment.
Neil Mackey now there is a story for you. As close to the centre of Glasgow as you can get .. Prime site.. You will be aware that 2 multies were pulled down a few months ago and this was splashed over the national news.
Wardog is correct this story smells....
Posted by: David, East Kilbride on 6:37pm Sun 29 Jun 08
Mr Haughey provide funds to the Liebour Wendy Alexander non-leadership contest..
He was a little disturbed when his name reached the news...
Mr Haughey provide funds to the Liebour Wendy Alexander non-leadership contest..
He was a little disturbed when his name reached the news...
Posted by: Gavin, Glasgow on 6:43pm Sun 29 Jun 08
Seems to me a good bit of work by the council, 100 houses for Social Let built and the cost to the council is only £5m. Thats £50000 a house, well done Aberdeenshire Council on a good bit of business.
Seems to me a good bit of work by the council, 100 houses for Social Let built and the cost to the council is only £5m. Thats £50000 a house, well done Aberdeenshire Council on a good bit of business.
Posted by: Charles, East of Glasgow on 6:48pm Sun 29 Jun 08
It works well in Edinburgh. You can build anything, where ever you want as long as you make a big contribution to the tram fund. Doesn't matter how big, how ugly, how inappropriate it is. You just pays yer money and do what you want. Council policies will be dropped. Public opinion will be ignored.
It works well in Edinburgh. You can build anything, where ever you want as long as you make a big contribution to the tram fund. Doesn't matter how big, how ugly, how inappropriate it is. You just pays yer money and do what you want. Council policies will be dropped. Public opinion will be ignored.
Posted by: Wardog, Buckie on 7:00pm Sun 29 Jun 08
[quote][bold]Gavin[/bold] wrote:
Seems to me a good bit of work by the council, 100 houses for Social Let built and the cost to the council is only £5m. Thats £50000 a house, well done Aberdeenshire Council on a good bit of business.[/quote]
That's what I was thinking Gavin.
98 affordable homes (does the author mean 'social rented accommodation') and another 52 affordable homes for sale.
Taken together this meets Aberdeenshire Council's 35% Affordable Home Requirement in their own Local Plan.
The council is doing pretty well out of this.
Gavin wrote:
Seems to me a good bit of work by the council, 100 houses for Social Let built and the cost to the council is only £5m. Thats £50000 a house, well done Aberdeenshire Council on a good bit of business.
That's what I was thinking Gavin.
98 affordable homes (does the author mean 'social rented accommodation') and another 52 affordable homes for sale.
Taken together this meets Aberdeenshire Council's 35% Affordable Home Requirement in their own Local Plan.
The council is doing pretty well out of this.
Posted by: Wardog, Buckie on 7:01pm Sun 29 Jun 08
If you haven't seen the Trump Tower proposals yet....
[bold]Trumps Plans[/bold]
www.trumpgolfscotlan
d.com
If you haven't seen the Trump Tower proposals yet....
Trumps Plans
www.trumpgolfscotlan
d.com
Posted by: Wardog, Buckie on 7:06pm Sun 29 Jun 08
[quote][bold]david[/bold] wrote:
Similar to Willie Haughey in the Gorbals . Crown St. - Eglinton ST. East/West
River Clyde - Caledonia Road North/South.
Haughey and syndicate are involved, and planning for this massive area is going through procedure at this moment.
Neil Mackey now there is a story for you. As close to the centre of Glasgow as you can get .. Prime site.. You will be aware that 2 multies were pulled down a few months ago and this was splashed over the national news.
Wardog is correct this story smells....
[/quote]
Hi David
The story is lacking an awful lot of details and seems to reek a bit, I'm not sure David Mackay knows what a Section 75 is, but he's got this published in any case.
With regards to Section 75 Agreements, Aberdeenshire's own local plan refers thus:
Development will be approved, in principle, if:
[bold]a)[/bold] the developer makes a fair and reasonable contribution, in cash or kind, towards the cost of public services, facilities and infrastructure and the mitigation of adverse environmental impacts, that would not have been necessary but for the development;[bold] AND[/bold]
[bold]b)[/bold in proposed housing developments, such contributions are consistent with the scale and nature of the development, are based on the anticipated necessary requirements set out in accordance with the guidance in Appendix 8, subject to adjustment in light of circumstances at the time the planning application is made.
To really comment on the veracity of this story, we need to know what is in the finalised Section 75, it could contain all sorts of onerous conditions including drainage which I imagine would be horrendous for a scheme this size and in it's location), we won't see the Section 75 until after a decision has been made I would expect.
david wrote:
Similar to Willie Haughey in the Gorbals . Crown St. - Eglinton ST. East/West
River Clyde - Caledonia Road North/South.
Haughey and syndicate are involved, and planning for this massive area is going through procedure at this moment.
Neil Mackey now there is a story for you. As close to the centre of Glasgow as you can get .. Prime site.. You will be aware that 2 multies were pulled down a few months ago and this was splashed over the national news.
Wardog is correct this story smells....
Hi David
The story is lacking an awful lot of details and seems to reek a bit, I'm not sure David Mackay knows what a Section 75 is, but he's got this published in any case.
With regards to Section 75 Agreements, Aberdeenshire's own local plan refers thus:
Development will be approved, in principle, if:
a) the developer makes a fair and reasonable contribution, in cash or kind, towards the cost of public services, facilities and infrastructure and the mitigation of adverse environmental impacts, that would not have been necessary but for the development; AND
b)[/bold in proposed housing developments, such contributions are consistent with the scale and nature of the development, are based on the anticipated necessary requirements set out in accordance with the guidance in Appendix 8, subject to adjustment in light of circumstances at the time the planning application is made.
To really comment on the veracity of this story, we need to know what is in the finalised Section 75, it could contain all sorts of onerous conditions including drainage which I imagine would be horrendous for a scheme this size and in it's location), we won't see the Section 75 until after a decision has been made I would expect.
Posted by: it's out money on 7:47pm Sun 29 Jun 08
See the trumpton brigade are out in force- the same ones who are nat apologists. Why don't we go the whole hog and build it free of charge for him?
See the trumpton brigade are out in force- the same ones who are nat apologists. Why don't we go the whole hog and build it free of charge for him?
Posted by: Peter McKaye, BVI on 8:31pm Sun 29 Jun 08
George Sorial is a corrupt little (literally) man that has no family, no children, no life except for begging Trump for forgiveness for screwing up this deal. Sorial is as paid off as the rest of the clan.
George Sorial is a corrupt little (literally) man that has no family, no children, no life except for begging Trump for forgiveness for screwing up this deal. Sorial is as paid off as the rest of the clan.
Posted by: David, East Kilbride on 8:55pm Sun 29 Jun 08
[quote][bold]Wardog[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]david[/bold] wrote: Similar to Willie Haughey in the Gorbals . Crown St. - Eglinton ST. East/West River Clyde - Caledonia Road North/South. Haughey and syndicate are involved, and planning for this massive area is going through procedure at this moment. Neil Mackey now there is a story for you. As close to the centre of Glasgow as you can get .. Prime site.. You will be aware that 2 multies were pulled down a few months ago and this was splashed over the national news. Wardog is correct this story smells.... [/quote] Hi David The story is lacking an awful lot of details and seems to reek a bit, I\'m not sure David Mackay knows what a Section 75 is, but he\'s got this published in any case. With regards to Section 75 Agreements, Aberdeenshire\'s own local plan refers thus: Development will be approved, in principle, if: [bold]a)[/bold] the developer makes a fair and reasonable contribution, in cash or kind, towards the cost of public services, facilities and infrastructure and the mitigation of adverse environmental impacts, that would not have been necessary but for the development;[bold] AND[/bold] [bold]b)[/bold in proposed housing developments, such contributions are consistent with the scale and nature of the development, are based on the anticipated necessary requirements set out in accordance with the guidance in Appendix 8, subject to adjustment in light of circumstances at the time the planning application is made. To really comment on the veracity of this story, we need to know what is in the finalised Section 75, it could contain all sorts of onerous conditions including drainage which I imagine would be horrendous for a scheme this size and in it\'s location), we won\'t see the Section 75 until after a decision has been made I would expect. [/quote] Thanks for that Wardog. You are one of many posters who enlighten the board.
The Independence cause has to be won.
Scotland as a nation has a wonderful chance to re-invent itself as a nation to progress in the big wide world.
When we look at the corruption around us with Liebour over many years inparticular we have to control our own destiny. A forward thinking nation with the SNP. In such a short time they have worked wonders although a minority government.
Any sleaze and corruption in an independent nation will be easier to control no matter the political party.
Keep it up ma Man....
I was reared in the Gorbals ....
Wardog wrote:
david wrote: Similar to Willie Haughey in the Gorbals . Crown St. - Eglinton ST. East/West River Clyde - Caledonia Road North/South. Haughey and syndicate are involved, and planning for this massive area is going through procedure at this moment. Neil Mackey now there is a story for you. As close to the centre of Glasgow as you can get .. Prime site.. You will be aware that 2 multies were pulled down a few months ago and this was splashed over the national news. Wardog is correct this story smells....
Hi David The story is lacking an awful lot of details and seems to reek a bit, I\'m not sure David Mackay knows what a Section 75 is, but he\'s got this published in any case. With regards to Section 75 Agreements, Aberdeenshire\'s own local plan refers thus: Development will be approved, in principle, if: a) the developer makes a fair and reasonable contribution, in cash or kind, towards the cost of public services, facilities and infrastructure and the mitigation of adverse environmental impacts, that would not have been necessary but for the development; AND b)[/bold in proposed housing developments, such contributions are consistent with the scale and nature of the development, are based on the anticipated necessary requirements set out in accordance with the guidance in Appendix 8, subject to adjustment in light of circumstances at the time the planning application is made. To really comment on the veracity of this story, we need to know what is in the finalised Section 75, it could contain all sorts of onerous conditions including drainage which I imagine would be horrendous for a scheme this size and in it\'s location), we won\'t see the Section 75 until after a decision has been made I would expect.
Thanks for that Wardog. You are one of many posters who enlighten the board.
The Independence cause has to be won.
Scotland as a nation has a wonderful chance to re-invent itself as a nation to progress in the big wide world.
When we look at the corruption around us with Liebour over many years inparticular we have to control our own destiny. A forward thinking nation with the SNP. In such a short time they have worked wonders although a minority government.
Any sleaze and corruption in an independent nation will be easier to control no matter the political party.
Keep it up ma Man....
I was reared in the Gorbals ....
Posted by: george alexander, north lanarkshire on 9:01pm Sun 29 Jun 08
[quote][bold]it's out money[/bold] wrote:
See the trumpton brigade are out in force- the same ones who are nat apologists. Why don't we go the whole hog and build it free of charge for him?[/quote] You don't have to wait long before a Unionist fool appears buzzing around a Trump story.
This particular fool appears to call contributors to this story about Aberdeenshire Council compelling Trump to build 98 affordable homes, 'nat apologists'.
The council have put up the land and Trump has to build the homes....why the fool doesn't aim his ire at those who run the council only he knows.
For some reason the Unionists appear to believe that there is anti SNP mileage in any Trump story, oh well, I suppose we should just leave them chasing this particular mirage.....watch out for The Herald and The Scotsman tomorrow.
it's out money wrote:
See the trumpton brigade are out in force- the same ones who are nat apologists. Why don't we go the whole hog and build it free of charge for him?
You don't have to wait long before a Unionist fool appears buzzing around a Trump story.
This particular fool appears to call contributors to this story about Aberdeenshire Council compelling Trump to build 98 affordable homes, 'nat apologists'.
The council have put up the land and Trump has to build the homes....why the fool doesn't aim his ire at those who run the council only he knows.
For some reason the Unionists appear to believe that there is anti SNP mileage in any Trump story, oh well, I suppose we should just leave them chasing this particular mirage.....watch out for The Herald and The Scotsman tomorrow.
Posted by: Alex Porter, Madrid on 1:12am Mon 30 Jun 08
Obnviously there will be no rhyme nor reason anbout this story. The story is placed to have a go at the SNP - there's a surprise.
The thing is that we know these job-worths are unionist lackeys. So, we,have to think about beating them. The SNP have given us the amo - let's trounce Labour. Let's destroy them..
Obnviously there will be no rhyme nor reason anbout this story. The story is placed to have a go at the SNP - there's a surprise.
The thing is that we know these job-worths are unionist lackeys. So, we,have to think about beating them. The SNP have given us the amo - let's trounce Labour. Let's destroy them..
Posted by: phil1, Edinburgh on 9:45am Mon 30 Jun 08
In a democracy with small cliques running town halls their is always going to be suspicion when deals are done in secret.
Auction the land to a developer with the proviso that 92 affordable homes must be provided would seem a snesiblle thing to do.
Gifting strikes me as bribery, corruption and misuse or theft of public money and resources
In a democracy with small cliques running town halls their is always going to be suspicion when deals are done in secret.
Auction the land to a developer with the proviso that 92 affordable homes must be provided would seem a snesiblle thing to do.
Gifting strikes me as bribery, corruption and misuse or theft of public money and resources
Posted by: DiJit, Glasgow on 11:42am Mon 30 Jun 08
[quote]"The consequence of this is that Mr Trump's luxury homes will be beside a hotel and a golf course, and the homes for poorer members of the community will have an open vista onto a pile of industrial waste."[/quote]
Someone please tell Paul Johnston this is why we buy 'luxury' homes and aspire to climb up the property ladder.
The 'poorer members of the community' will be delighted to have a brand new house with an open vista.
What an idiot. A perfect example of the lack of ability and intelligence require to be a councillor these days.
"The consequence of this is that Mr Trump's luxury homes will be beside a hotel and a golf course, and the homes for poorer members of the community will have an open vista onto a pile of industrial waste."
Someone please tell Paul Johnston this is why we buy 'luxury' homes and aspire to climb up the property ladder.
The 'poorer members of the community' will be delighted to have a brand new house with an open vista.
What an idiot. A perfect example of the lack of ability and intelligence require to be a councillor these days.
Posted by: mobocaster, Aberdeen on 12:03pm Mon 30 Jun 08
This story renders me speechless!
If it is confirmed, it completely knocks one of Trump's main claims out of court. Namely that the scheme is to be entirely self supporting & that it would continue at no cost to the local economy.
View this alongside the economic evidence from the enquiry that demonstrated the complete falseness of his claims about finance being in place already.
Oh, its not Nat bashing either, just a dislike of exploitative t*ats like Trump, steaming in here with the idea they can get away with whatever they want.
Independance will not be worth a thing to us if we simply hand ourselves into the thrall of guys like Trump & his ilk. :-(
This story renders me speechless!
If it is confirmed, it completely knocks one of Trump's main claims out of court. Namely that the scheme is to be entirely self supporting & that it would continue at no cost to the local economy.
View this alongside the economic evidence from the enquiry that demonstrated the complete falseness of his claims about finance being in place already.
Oh, its not Nat bashing either, just a dislike of exploitative t*ats like Trump, steaming in here with the idea they can get away with whatever they want.
Independance will not be worth a thing to us if we simply hand ourselves into the thrall of guys like Trump & his ilk. :-(
Posted by: fiona hardie, Aberdeenshire on 11:13pm Mon 30 Jun 08
Perfect timing by the councillor who has taken over the enquiry from the start to offer Trump land to build his houses. This is what Sorial says "the Council identified to us the land where it wished the affordable housing to be built and we have worked with them to make that an integral part of an overall project that features many millions of pounds of investment by us. It is absurd to view the arrangement as some kind of inducement and it's important to stress that we're still discussing the details of that arrangement with the Council". And YES. They are working together all along, behind closed doors. Just like it has been with Salmond, Swinney and many others who have been enjoying Trumps own sweetner over in America. Working together very well indeed!![bold]bold[/bold]
Perfect timing by the councillor who has taken over the enquiry from the start to offer Trump land to build his houses. This is what Sorial says "the Council identified to us the land where it wished the affordable housing to be built and we have worked with them to make that an integral part of an overall project that features many millions of pounds of investment by us. It is absurd to view the arrangement as some kind of inducement and it's important to stress that we're still discussing the details of that arrangement with the Council". And YES. They are working together all along, behind closed doors. Just like it has been with Salmond, Swinney and many others who have been enjoying Trumps own sweetner over in America. Working together very well indeed!!
Posted by: horseman, aberdeenshire on 11:32pm Mon 30 Jun 08
For those of you who prefer to let the facts get in the way of a not-so-good story, here is Aberdeenshire's response to the rubbish in the papers about this "sweetener":
Further to the article on the front page of today’s Press and Journal, there follows further clarification of the position regarding the provision of affordable housing linked to the proposed development of a golf resort by the Trump organisation.
The Council has followed the same approach to determine the appropriate developer contributions for this planning application as it would for any other. Developer contributions mitigate the impact of new development by providing new facilities for communities and officers have been consistent in applying adopted Council policies.
With regard to affordable housing, the Council has long recognised that supply of affordable housing is a key priority across Aberdeenshire and has very positive and well established partnership arrangements with local housing associations, developers and the Scottish Government.
In terms of the affordable housing contribution arising from the Trump application, a site has been identified in Balmedie that can accommodate 98 homes for affordable rent and 52 aimed at first time buyers. This site will not be gifted to the Trump organisation for development. The Council in fact sold the site in question in April 2007 to Castlehill Housing Association at a market value consistent with its future use for affordable housing development. This is entirely in line with the Council's strategic approach to enable land to be brought forward for future affordable housing development.
The contribution by the Trump organisation would be to fund the development of all 98 affordable rented homes at an estimated cost of £10 million. The homes would then be owned and managed by Castlehill Housing Association. Funding secured through this route means that the development of these homes will almost certainly be earlier than would otherwise have been the case. The principles around how the affordable housing for this development have been put together is again consistent with the established policies of the Council - if the planning application is approved this contribution would be the single biggest contribution ever made by a developer for affordable housing in Aberdeenshire.
It is also important to confirm that the design and construction of the homes will be to the usual high quality required by housing associations - particularly around energy efficiency.
The remaining 52 homes for first time buyers will also meet the high design standards required by the Council and any future consideration of the detailed planning issues will ensure the housing development as a whole is well thought through and sustainable.
With respect to the location of the homes, Balmedie is the preferred area given the proximity of local services and transport links. This would not be the case were the homes to be located on the Menie Estate itself. The proposed site in Balmedie is also adjacent to existing homes and is allocated in the Aberdeenshire Local Plan as having the potential to be developed for housing in the future.
The Council has rightly been praised for its approach to securing developer contributions, most recently by Audit Scotland as part of its Audit of Best Value and Community Planning. The Council is absolutely satisfied that the approach to dealing with this application is consistent with established good practice and should the planning application be approved will result in significant investment in the local community.
For those of you who prefer to let the facts get in the way of a not-so-good story, here is Aberdeenshire's response to the rubbish in the papers about this "sweetener":
Further to the article on the front page of today’s Press and Journal, there follows further clarification of the position regarding the provision of affordable housing linked to the proposed development of a golf resort by the Trump organisation.
The Council has followed the same approach to determine the appropriate developer contributions for this planning application as it would for any other. Developer contributions mitigate the impact of new development by providing new facilities for communities and officers have been consistent in applying adopted Council policies.
With regard to affordable housing, the Council has long recognised that supply of affordable housing is a key priority across Aberdeenshire and has very positive and well established partnership arrangements with local housing associations, developers and the Scottish Government.
In terms of the affordable housing contribution arising from the Trump application, a site has been identified in Balmedie that can accommodate 98 homes for affordable rent and 52 aimed at first time buyers. This site will not be gifted to the Trump organisation for development. The Council in fact sold the site in question in April 2007 to Castlehill Housing Association at a market value consistent with its future use for affordable housing development. This is entirely in line with the Council's strategic approach to enable land to be brought forward for future affordable housing development.
The contribution by the Trump organisation would be to fund the development of all 98 affordable rented homes at an estimated cost of £10 million. The homes would then be owned and managed by Castlehill Housing Association. Funding secured through this route means that the development of these homes will almost certainly be earlier than would otherwise have been the case. The principles around how the affordable housing for this development have been put together is again consistent with the established policies of the Council - if the planning application is approved this contribution would be the single biggest contribution ever made by a developer for affordable housing in Aberdeenshire.
It is also important to confirm that the design and construction of the homes will be to the usual high quality required by housing associations - particularly around energy efficiency.
The remaining 52 homes for first time buyers will also meet the high design standards required by the Council and any future consideration of the detailed planning issues will ensure the housing development as a whole is well thought through and sustainable.
With respect to the location of the homes, Balmedie is the preferred area given the proximity of local services and transport links. This would not be the case were the homes to be located on the Menie Estate itself. The proposed site in Balmedie is also adjacent to existing homes and is allocated in the Aberdeenshire Local Plan as having the potential to be developed for housing in the future.
The Council has rightly been praised for its approach to securing developer contributions, most recently by Audit Scotland as part of its Audit of Best Value and Community Planning. The Council is absolutely satisfied that the approach to dealing with this application is consistent with established good practice and should the planning application be approved will result in significant investment in the local community.
Posted by: Paul Johnston, Aberdeenshire on 3:15pm Wed 2 Jul 08
[quote][bold]horseman[/bold] wrote:
For those of you who prefer to let the facts get in the way of a not-so-good story, here is Aberdeenshire's response to the rubbish in the papers about this "sweetener":
Further to the article on the front page of today’s Press and Journal, there follows further clarification of the position regarding the provision of affordable housing linked to the proposed development of a golf resort by the Trump organisation.
The Council has followed the same approach to determine the appropriate developer contributions for this planning application as it would for any other. Developer contributions mitigate the impact of new development by providing new facilities for communities and officers have been consistent in applying adopted Council policies.
With regard to affordable housing, the Council has long recognised that supply of affordable housing is a key priority across Aberdeenshire and has very positive and well established partnership arrangements with local housing associations, developers and the Scottish Government.
In terms of the affordable housing contribution arising from the Trump application, a site has been identified in Balmedie that can accommodate 98 homes for affordable rent and 52 aimed at first time buyers. This site will not be gifted to the Trump organisation for development. The Council in fact sold the site in question in April 2007 to Castlehill Housing Association at a market value consistent with its future use for affordable housing development. This is entirely in line with the Council's strategic approach to enable land to be brought forward for future affordable housing development.
The contribution by the Trump organisation would be to fund the development of all 98 affordable rented homes at an estimated cost of £10 million. The homes would then be owned and managed by Castlehill Housing Association. Funding secured through this route means that the development of these homes will almost certainly be earlier than would otherwise have been the case. The principles around how the affordable housing for this development have been put together is again consistent with the established policies of the Council - if the planning application is approved this contribution would be the single biggest contribution ever made by a developer for affordable housing in Aberdeenshire.
It is also important to confirm that the design and construction of the homes will be to the usual high quality required by housing associations - particularly around energy efficiency.
The remaining 52 homes for first time buyers will also meet the high design standards required by the Council and any future consideration of the detailed planning issues will ensure the housing development as a whole is well thought through and sustainable.
With respect to the location of the homes, Balmedie is the preferred area given the proximity of local services and transport links. This would not be the case were the homes to be located on the Menie Estate itself. The proposed site in Balmedie is also adjacent to existing homes and is allocated in the Aberdeenshire Local Plan as having the potential to be developed for housing in the future.
The Council has rightly been praised for its approach to securing developer contributions, most recently by Audit Scotland as part of its Audit of Best Value and Community Planning. The Council is absolutely satisfied that the approach to dealing with this application is consistent with established good practice and should the planning application be approved will result in significant investment in the local community.
[/quote] Unfortunately, the Council's statement here says the land is in Balmedie. Its not [except for 25 houses]. Its outside. The legal agreement proposed says its in Balmedie. The Council will not only have to grant themselves planning permission but also ignore its own local plan, [a major issue].
No-one suggested the Council is acting illegally, but that there is no scrutiny of the best value or appropriateness of this deal. It has real problems that are not being addressed. So the Reporters will have to.
So as you can see - its not all that simple.
horseman wrote:
For those of you who prefer to let the facts get in the way of a not-so-good story, here is Aberdeenshire's response to the rubbish in the papers about this "sweetener":
Further to the article on the front page of today’s Press and Journal, there follows further clarification of the position regarding the provision of affordable housing linked to the proposed development of a golf resort by the Trump organisation.
The Council has followed the same approach to determine the appropriate developer contributions for this planning application as it would for any other. Developer contributions mitigate the impact of new development by providing new facilities for communities and officers have been consistent in applying adopted Council policies.
With regard to affordable housing, the Council has long recognised that supply of affordable housing is a key priority across Aberdeenshire and has very positive and well established partnership arrangements with local housing associations, developers and the Scottish Government.
In terms of the affordable housing contribution arising from the Trump application, a site has been identified in Balmedie that can accommodate 98 homes for affordable rent and 52 aimed at first time buyers. This site will not be gifted to the Trump organisation for development. The Council in fact sold the site in question in April 2007 to Castlehill Housing Association at a market value consistent with its future use for affordable housing development. This is entirely in line with the Council's strategic approach to enable land to be brought forward for future affordable housing development.
The contribution by the Trump organisation would be to fund the development of all 98 affordable rented homes at an estimated cost of £10 million. The homes would then be owned and managed by Castlehill Housing Association. Funding secured through this route means that the development of these homes will almost certainly be earlier than would otherwise have been the case. The principles around how the affordable housing for this development have been put together is again consistent with the established policies of the Council - if the planning application is approved this contribution would be the single biggest contribution ever made by a developer for affordable housing in Aberdeenshire.
It is also important to confirm that the design and construction of the homes will be to the usual high quality required by housing associations - particularly around energy efficiency.
The remaining 52 homes for first time buyers will also meet the high design standards required by the Council and any future consideration of the detailed planning issues will ensure the housing development as a whole is well thought through and sustainable.
With respect to the location of the homes, Balmedie is the preferred area given the proximity of local services and transport links. This would not be the case were the homes to be located on the Menie Estate itself. The proposed site in Balmedie is also adjacent to existing homes and is allocated in the Aberdeenshire Local Plan as having the potential to be developed for housing in the future.
The Council has rightly been praised for its approach to securing developer contributions, most recently by Audit Scotland as part of its Audit of Best Value and Community Planning. The Council is absolutely satisfied that the approach to dealing with this application is consistent with established good practice and should the planning application be approved will result in significant investment in the local community.
Unfortunately, the Council's statement here says the land is in Balmedie. Its not . Its outside. The legal agreement proposed says its in Balmedie. The Council will not only have to grant themselves planning permission but also ignore its own local plan, .
No-one suggested the Council is acting illegally, but that there is no scrutiny of the best value or appropriateness of this deal. It has real problems that are not being addressed. So the Reporters will have to.
So as you can see - its not all that simple.
Posted by: Jimmy the Pie on 8:36am Sun 6 Jul 08
I wonder if the 200 members of the New Labour Sleaze and Corruption in Glasgow East fully realise that when their beloved party goes bankrupt(which won't be long!), they will be held, individually, financially accountable for all debts.
As the Sleaze Party will have no assets, then the members will have to share the burden. All your possessions sold at auction!!!
Of course you could always ask David Marshall (ex mP) for a sub. He seems to have done very well from being an MP.
All union members should opt out of the political levy right away, and cut as much of New Labour Sleaze income as possible.
I'll have financial details of some MP's expense claims this week.
You'll all be the first to know!! ;-)
I wonder if the 200 members of the New Labour Sleaze and Corruption in Glasgow East fully realise that when their beloved party goes bankrupt(which won't be long!), they will be held, individually, financially accountable for all debts.
As the Sleaze Party will have no assets, then the members will have to share the burden. All your possessions sold at auction!!!
Of course you could always ask David Marshall (ex mP) for a sub. He seems to have done very well from being an MP.
All union members should opt out of the political levy right away, and cut as much of New Labour Sleaze income as possible.
I'll have financial details of some MP's expense claims this week.
You'll all be the first to know!! ;-)
Posted by: Disgusted Dorothy, Glasgow on 8:48am Sun 6 Jul 08
Why is this story reprinted after last week I thought that it had moved on.
Not up to speed Sunday Herald?
Why is this story reprinted after last week I thought that it had moved on.
Not up to speed Sunday Herald?
Posted by: McSomeone, Scotland on 9:16am Sun 6 Jul 08
[quote]If you haven't seen the Trump Tower proposals yet....[/quote]
Looks like a typical Trump gated community to me, the only thing missing is the (super?) casino. I'm sure the plans for that are missing somewhere and just waiting to be found.
As for "affordable housing"? Yeah, right, Trump is a philanphropist who wants to make a better world for us all to live in. That's the day pigs will flying in tight formation during an air display.
If you haven't seen the Trump Tower proposals yet....
Looks like a typical Trump gated community to me, the only thing missing is the (super?) casino. I'm sure the plans for that are missing somewhere and just waiting to be found.
As for "affordable housing"? Yeah, right, Trump is a philanphropist who wants to make a better world for us all to live in. That's the day pigs will flying in tight formation during an air display.
Posted by: britfree, camelon on 4:23pm Sun 6 Jul 08
peoples motivations , philanthropy , greed , tycoon hatred , flying pigs , this thread sure has it all . look , either do the show, or stop the show , just work out who is judy garland and who is micky rooney , i hope this throws some light on the subject , righty ho , i,ll be off then
peoples motivations , philanthropy , greed , tycoon hatred , flying pigs , this thread sure has it all . look , either do the show, or stop the show , just work out who is judy garland and who is micky rooney , i hope this throws some light on the subject , righty ho , i,ll be off then
Posted by: Leesome, Glasgow on 9:05pm Sun 6 Jul 08
[quote][bold]britfree[/bold] wrote:
peoples motivations , philanthropy , greed , tycoon hatred , flying pigs , this thread sure has it all . look , either do the show, or stop the show , just work out who is judy garland and who is micky rooney , i hope this throws some light on the subject , righty ho , i,ll be off then [/quote] Take a tour of Glasgow, you forgot slavery. Aberdeen receives housing & a golf golf & a Billionaire willing to invest their cash! Visit Banchory, the place is worth a fortune, yet almost of them hide their funds away in the deep blue sea... More Trump please! Have a nice day!
britfree wrote:
peoples motivations , philanthropy , greed , tycoon hatred , flying pigs , this thread sure has it all . look , either do the show, or stop the show , just work out who is judy garland and who is micky rooney , i hope this throws some light on the subject , righty ho , i,ll be off then
Take a tour of Glasgow, you forgot slavery. Aberdeen receives housing & a golf golf & a Billionaire willing to invest their cash! Visit Banchory, the place is worth a fortune, yet almost of them hide their funds away in the deep blue sea... More Trump please! Have a nice day!
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