October 6, 2012
Scotland

Trump: RSPB should close its doors

www.perthshireadvertiser.co.uk 5 October 2012

US tycoon Donald Trump has said conservation charity the RSPB should “close it doors” after it withdrew its objection to a wind farm.

The organisation originally objected to plans to build an 11-turbine wind farm near the outspoken businessman’s luxury golf resort in the north east of Scotland.

But it is one of a number of bodies that have now dropped their opposition to the development. The change of stance prompted Mr Trump to say: “Their name should be changed to RSKB, Royal Society for the Killing of Birds, to reflect their pro-wind turbine position.

“They should close their doors and not waste taxpayers’ money.”

Last month the Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group said that RSPB Scotland, the Civil Aviation Authority, National Air Traffic Services and the Ministry of Defence had all lifted their objections to the £230 million 11-turbine European Offshore Wind Development Centre (EOWDC).

The billionaire is opposed to the offshore wind farm, claiming it will ruin the view for golfers at his course which opened to the public in July. He has put plans for a hotel and houses on the Menie Estate course on hold until a decision is made on the proposed wind farm off the coast of the links.

Mr Trump said the RSPB had opposed his plans for the site, stating: “This group of self-serving and ill-informed individuals fought us harder than any other group.

“The golf course I have built is already considered, perhaps, the best in the world. The hotel I am planning would likewise be far superior to any hotel in Scotland, England, Ireland and, hopefully, anywhere in Europe.

“However, if the 80-storey, Aberdeen-destroying wind turbines are going to be built in Aberdeen Bay, I will not invest one additional pound in this magnificent development.”

EOWDC project spokesman Iain Todd said last month that the removal of a number of objections is “another significant step forward for the scheme”.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/10/06/trump-rspb-should-close-its-doors/