Trump went to court in November claiming that the 11-turbine European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC) to be constructed off the Aberdeenshire coast, would spoil the view from his golf course. The project received approval from the Scottish government last year, however the Trump Organisation and the Trump International Golf Club Scotland responded by lodging a petition with the Court of Session in Edinburgh. This has now been overturned by Judge Lord Doherty.
The Trump Organisation has responded by saying that the wind farm is doomed, despite the ruling. A statement from the organisation said that the decision has not altered its ‘unwavering commitment’ to protect its investment in Scotland and that the Trump Organisation will be reviewing the decision in order to pursue with legal means recommended by its counsel.
The hearing was attended by senior members of the Trump Organisation, including Donald Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr.
The £230 million offshore wind farm is being developed by Vattenfall Wind Power and Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group and upon completion will have an installed capacity of 100MW. Over the course of a year it will be able to generate enough energy for 68,000 UK households.
The ruling was welcomed by the Scottish Government and by environmental groups such as the Green Party and RSPB Scotland. Giving his decision on the matter, Lord Doherty said he was not persuaded “that the fair-minded and informed observer would conclude that there was a real possibility of bias on the part of the decision-maker; or that the decision not to have a public inquiry had been unreasonable or unlawful.”
“Scottish ministers are pleased that the court has found in their favour” said a Scottish Government spokesman. “"The proposed European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre is an important project for Aberdeen and north east Scotland. It will give the industry the ability to test and demonstrate new technologies to accelerate its growth. Aberdeen is already of global importance for hydrocarbons and this wind deployment centre cements its role in renewable offshore development, further positioning Aberdeen as the energy capital of Europe and a world energy centre.”
Patrick Harvie, a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) representing the Green Party added that Donald Trump is a man who has peddled the ‘paranoid fantasy’ that climate change is a communist conspiracy and that Scotland can’t afford to waste another second on him.
WWF Scotland director Lang Banks said that the ruling was “great news for Scotland and for all those interested in cutting climate emissions and creating jobs.”
A spokesman from RSPB Scotland said that the wildlife charity has been working closely with the developers to ensure that any significant risk to birds is minimised.
For additional information:
