Scottish Government in thrall to big business? Surely not ...

[Solopower]

You've probably heard about it. This is the story so far (as I understand it - apologies if inaccurate):

Donald Trump wants to build a golf course and hotel complex on an outstanding area of natural beauty and Special Scientific Interest on the coast of Aberdeenshire (the only one with this particular environment in the UK). The local council says 'No'. The Scottish Government 'call it in' and reverse the decision - flying straight in the face of local democracy. How can that be right? Does this happen a lot? And is this sort of thing going to happen in England too, as the planning laws are relaxed?

It also looks as if DT inc are flouting the law. This piece by the Herald:
www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/trump-accused-of-using-police-as-his-private-security-force-1.1127098

How can this happen under an SNP government?

Of course there is another side to it. DT says this development will bring jobs to the area and that 93% of the local population are in favour (in spite of the council voting against it). But so far - 2 years in? - no local jobs (the contractor is Irish), and no survey has actually been carried out, AFAIK - so where did the 93% come from?

Anyway this is now all well under way. Trump has started building. But according to a film I have seen, it sounds as if local residents are being very badly treated. They are followed by security as they go down to the beach, and challenged as they drive to their houses. One family woke up to find a high bank of sand all round their house - presumably because DT didn't want his guests in the hotel complex to see it (he thinks the local houses are eyesores). Another person is told to demolish his shed because it is 70cm too wide. The residents' water is cut off and not turned on for weeks.

Local media are simply not reporting this - none of it. So are the police turning a blind eye to what look like illegal shenanigans on the part of DT inc? Why would they do that? And why would the police arrest Anthony Baxter for making a film when he is on the private land of one of the residents?

This is a trailer for the film: 'You've been trumped' by Anthony Baxter:

The local campaign group is called 'Tripping up Trump': www.trippinguptrump.com/

Sounds like the plot to 'Local Hero'. Given that Salmond was found to be quite cosy with Murdoch, no I wouldn't be surprised if he was also on first name terms with 'The Donald'...

Yes, Local Hero is referenced in the film.

I suppose it's not surprising, but it is disappointing.

This is a trailer for the film: 'You've been trumped' by Anthony Baxter: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zk-MHQE2xPQ

The local campaign group is called 'Tripping up Trump': www.trippinguptrump.com/

I've just watched the film and I'm utterly disgusted what Trump has been allowed to do. Those poor locals have been through hell. Please watch it and support them if you can...if not...God help us all with money and greed!

why are the local press not reporting?

I guess because it's really old news now?

The program was on TV last night...how can it be old news?

This has been rumbling on for years, the programme was just recapping wasn't it?

Jack Mcconnel for?
Aberdeen council turns down planning permission.
Scottish government randomly overturns the refusal?
Trump bullies and threatens people off the land he wants and destroys a unique ecosystem?

I've not seen the film but was that about right?

I didn't know the film was on TV last night.

Have the Security guards stopped harassing the residents? Any more local jobs created? Is the whole thing a huge success?

As someone who wasn't aware until I saw it on TV the other night it seems the land has been ruined, the locals are still being harassed and the job has been left half finished...am I right? I'm so glad I don't live around there. Trump's lot seem so intimidating.