Trump in Scotland, all wind, says neighbor

ABERDEEN, Scotland, Jan. 18 (UPI) -- Developer Donald Trump said plans for an offshore wind farm have put his plans for a luxury clubhouse resort near Aberdeen, Scotland, on hold.

"All further plans for future development, including the hotel, are now on hold until the Scottish government makes a decision on the application for the European offshore wind deployment center submitted by Vattenfall and AREG (the Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group)," Trump said in a statement.

But Britain's The Guardian newspaper reported Wednesday Trump had said in June the sluggish economy was the reason he was no longer pushing forward with further development of what he has called "the world's greatest golf course."

One of two golf courses planned for the site is nearly complete and will open in June. With that, Trump plans to build a temporary clubhouse. The luxury clubhouse that was to replace the temporary one is what Trump said is now on hold.

Trump is using the wind farm as an excuse to cut and run, but he is pushing forward to secure the government's permission to build the luxury clubhouse in spite of that, just to increase the value of the property, said David Milne, a neighbor of the property who has refused to yield to the developer and sell him his home.

"I firmly believe he (Trump) is just trying to sell. The planning permission he gained (for the clubhouse) was the final piece to increase the sale value of the golf course. That is the only reason they bothered going for it," Milne said.