Trump one step closer to Scottish super-resort

Entrepreneur Donald Trump (pictured) has edged closer to building a golf resort in Scotland he says will house the "greatest golf course in the world" after councillors gave the development the green light.

When the famous businessman first announced his intentions to build the Trump International Golf Links at Balmedie in April, many critics dismissed his plans for the UK?s most grandiose resort complex as nothing more than a pipe dream.

Seven short months later and Trump is a step closer to building the resort complex that estimates from those close to Trump say could contribute upwards of £60 million a year towards the Scottish economy.

The complex would feature an 18-hole links course, 12-storey hotel and over 1,000 private and holiday homes. The proposals have divided opinion with business and tourism leaders saying it would boost the area's economy and conservationists protesting at proposed building work on a beautiful stretch of coastline

Councillors in Aberdeenshire only gave Trump's controversial development proposals the go-ahead by seven votes to four. A final decision will now be made next week by the infrastructure services committee.