Billionaire attempts to derail windfarm plans with letter to first minister – and by ceasing work on Aberdeenshire golf resort

This article is more than 8 years old

This article is more than 8 years old

Donald Trump has written to Scotland's first minister, Alex Salmond, accusing him of being "hell-bent on destroying Scotland's coastline" with wind turbines.

Trump, who opposes plans for an offshore windfarm to be built near the site of his luxury golf resort in Aberdeenshire, called the turbines "ugly monstrosities" and "horrendous machines".

A planning application for an 11-turbine windfarm off Aberdeen Bay was submitted to Marine Scotland last summer. A decision is expected to be made later this year.

The billionaire businessman has halted work on his resort until the decision is made by the Scottish government.

In his letter to Salmond, he says: "With the reckless installation of these monsters, you will single-handedly have done more damage to Scotland than virtually any event in Scottish history."

Trump also said he would never be "on board" with the project, which he called "insanity".

He added: "As a matter of fact, I have just authorised my staff to allocate a substantial amount of money to launch an international campaign to fight your plan to surround Scotland's coast with many thousands of wind turbines."

He added: "Please understand that I am doing this to save Scotland."

Trump announced a postponement on work at the resort last month. The Trump Organisation said any future work, including the building of a hotel, would now depend on the Scottish ministers' decision on the application for the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre.

The proposal is a £150m joint venture by utility company Vattenfall, engineering firm Technip and Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group.

A Scottish government spokeswoman said: "Scottish waters are estimated to have as much as a quarter of Europe's potential offshore wind energy. A recent study suggests that harnessing just a third of the practical resource off our coast by 2050 would enable us to generate enough electricity to power Scotland seven times over.

"An independent Scotland will be able to take full responsibility for this renewables revolution, along with the investment and thousands of jobs it brings."

Willie Rennie, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader, said Scotland would not be bullied. "First Mr Trump accuses Scotland of being the laughing stock of the world," Rennie said. "Now he threatens to launch an international campaign. What Mr Trump needs to understand is that Scotland will live up to our responsibilities to tackle climate change.

"This letter is a rather desperate attempt by a rich man who is used to getting his own way. But his latest tizzy is embarrassing. Instead of the world laughing at Scotland, Scotland is laughing at Mr Trump.

"Mr Trump's dislike for turbines several miles from his golf course should not derail Scotland's ambition.

"I would urge the first minister to listen to Mr Trump but no more and no less than anyone else. We won't be bullied by Mr Trump and his millions."