Scotland OKs controversial Trump project

ABERDEEN, Scotland, Nov. 3 (UPI) -- U.S. real estate mogul Donald Trump said Monday the Scottish government has approved his controversial resort project for Aberdeenshire.

Trump said that while his plan for a golf resort in the Scottish council area was criticized for its alleged impact on area sand dunes, the government has finally supported the $1.6 billion project, the New York Daily News reported.

"It was a long fight, but it was a good fight," Trump said. "This is the greatest piece of land perhaps anywhere in the world for what we're planning to build."

"It truly can be the greatest golf course in the world."

The site will include 950 vacation homes and 500 houses in addition to a hotel and two 18-hole golf courses.

Environmentalists slammed the proposed project for its likely impact on the seaside area's sand dunes.

Trump told the Daily News that he is convinced the Scottish tourist site will weather the current economic crisis and ultimately be a success.

"The economic climate will change for the better," he said. "This project is so good that I really believe it won't be affected."