Trump Eyes Northern Ireland for Pet Project

American billionaire Donald Trump is seemingly bent on have a pet luxury golf resort project somewhere in the British Isles.

Recently, the Aberdeenshire Council in Scotland rejected his planning application for a sweeping golfing facility in the area, with residents fearing the project would change the character of the place forever.

Unperturbed, Trump is now reported to be looking in Northern Ireland for his dream project.

According to ireland.com, Trump’s top executives have already visited up to four potential sites in Northern Ireland as a venue for a $1 billion luxury golf resort.

Trump, himself, held talks with First Minister Ian Paisley in New York last month, although there are accusations, strenuously denied, that the media magnate is trying to play Scotland and Northern Ireland against each other.

Reports indicate that Belfast is one of the areas being looked at while Runkerry in Country Antrim is also under consideration for what is hoped to be a links-type course.

The group has already secured land for six months with the option to extend it should they decide to proceed with the project.

George Sorial, Trump’s managing director for international development, was quoted as saying:

“We would not be here if it was not for real, there is no flying kites here, I would not be wasting my time. It is a substantial piece of land, suitable for a golf course, residential and hotel.”

Meanwhile, the Scottish programme has not been entirely abandoned with Trump’s people carrying out an inquiry into how the council handled the planning application. It may yet be revived.


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