Cllr Ford defends decision on Trump
‘I in no sense felt the decision was unsafe’
Published:
THE councillor whose casting vote sunk Donald Trump’s £1 billion Balmedie golf resort plan today defended his decision.
Martin Ford told a public inquiry that the committee he chaired was best placed to judge the application for the Menie Estate.
The Aberdeenshire member described Mr Trump’s refusal to alter his plans as “unusual”.
He said: “Members of the Infrastructure Services Committee were well aware of the applicant’s unusual all or nothing approach to seeking planning permission.”
In November last year the ISC was asked to vote between deferring the plan for further negotiation or refusing it.
Mr Ford told the inquiry he had been advised he could not have referred the matter to the full council – despite claims it was a possibility by the council’s chief executive.
Mr Trump’s QC Lord Colin Boyd said: “With the benefit of hindsight is that something that you feel you probably ought to have done?”
Mr Ford replied: “No – I thought that the committee was as well equipped, and as an appropriate body as there could possibly be to take the decision on this planning application.
“I in no sense felt that the committee’s decision was unsafe.”
The vote was tied 7-7 – with Mr Ford choosing to maintain the “status quo” by using his casting vote to refuse.
Mr Trump’s plan, including two golf courses, a hotel, 950 holiday homes and 500 houses, was recommended for approval by Aberdeenshire Council planners.
Mr Ford told the inquiry in Aberdeen that concerns centred on the building of the main course on a Site of Special Scientific Interest and the inclusion of 500 houses to fund the scheme.
He questioned the economic benefits and said they did not justify departing from council policy which presumed against the development.
Mr Ford said: “The easy option for councillors was to grant the application, but the better option was refusal.
“The decision to refuse should be seen as a negotiating position by the council.
“It did not mean that the ISC was opposed to any development at Menie.
“Given the applicant’s repeated insistence that the application as submitted had to be granted in full, there seemed little point in deferring for negotiation.”
He was later removed from his role as chairman at a meeting where the council expressed support for the plan.
Meanwhile, a charity boss was called on to resign by Mr Trump’s right-hand man.
Trump development director George Sorial hit out at the Scottish Wildlife Trust over its objections.
SWT policy manager Jonathan Hughes told a public inquiry in Aberdeen that the economic benefits of the proposal would not outweigh the environmental impact.
But Mr Sorial said: “For the good of himself and the public, he should resign.”
Readers' Comments
The man has a right to hold the views he does. But why would Aberdeenshire Lib Dems put in charge of the council's economic policy someone who it knew was opposed to the AWPR and was opposed something as valuable for the NE as this? This tells us more about the splits in the Lib Dem Party than it does about Martin Ford.
Andrew Buchan
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Mr Sorial does seem to think he is above everyone here I think. Who is he to come over here and try to bully people out of their jobs? And then later on....as he has done before with Martin Ford....try to act all apologetic about it and its all a game to him. But as is plain obvious...when Sorial isnt getting his own way then he changes tactics. And who is he? he doesnt run Britain, so he has no right to say whats best for Aberdeen and the public. Get out of here Sorial, your too big for your boots!
fiona hardie
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Only one person is responsible for This fiasco, and that is Martin Ford, he put himself in the position of knowing what was best for Aberdeen and the public, considering like Sorial, Martin Ford isn't even Scottish let alone from the local area, so how exactly does he know what is best for the area. And before someone raises the racist flag,I am pointing out a basic fact.
Abbie Mann
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Martin Ford is a very knowledgeable man and has the insight in these plans to come to the correct decision as he has done. He has been honest throughout, and that is commendable. The fiasco has nothing to do with Martin at all. If certain people didnt lie so much then this would have ended when Ford turned it down. And Abby, please calm down and try to spell properly,or check the dictionary.
fiona hardie
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ABBIE ABBIE fiona eperhaps you should calm down and learn to read.
Abbie Mann
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What is all this commotion? Communism Vs. Capitalism? Is this what it has come to?
Linda J. McArtney
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