April 29, 2010
Newly-planted marram grass was ripped up, fences pulled down, diesel supplies polluted and two JCB diggers destroyed, causing an estimated £50,000 of damage.
The damage was discovered on Monday. More than 1,000sqm of marram grass was ripped out of the ground at the 15th green, while 150 metres of fencing bordering the hole was also torn down.
Just 24 hours before, vandals had targeted two heavy diggers at the site, cutting their wiring, removing batteries and pouring sand into the engines. About 3,000 litres of diesel were also destroyed when the fuel was mixed with what is thought to be sugar.
The malicious assault is the latest evidence that the development is becoming increasingly unpopular. A poll published this week suggested Scots now oppose the scheme by two to one, despite claims it will boost tourism in the north-east and create thousands of new jobs.
Mr Trump, also known as ‘The Donald’, first announced his plans to build the “world’s greatest golf course” in March 2006, but his proposal took more than two years to gain approval after it was furiously opposed by conservationists. Critics argue that the resort, which will include two championship golf courses, 950 holiday homes and 500 houses, will wreck rare sand dunes, which are designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. There are also concerns that Mr Trump will use compulsory purchase orders to force residents whose houses are in the way of his plans out of their homes.
The attack comes less than two weeks after a fire spread across six acres of grass and dunes at the site. The blaze was blamed on a discarded barbecue. It is not known if the incident was a deliberate act.