Councillor view of 'Trump compulsory purchases' sought

Councillors have been asked for their view on the potential use of compulsory purchase orders to buy homes of people refusing to sell to Donald Trump.

The US tycoon wants to create a championship course as well as a hotel and hundreds of holiday homes at Menie in Aberdeenshire.

Councillor Martin Ford has written to committee chairmen, asking for them to state their stance.

It comes in advance of a full council meeting later this month.

Some local people have refused to sell their properties to Mr Trump.

Independent councillor Mr Ford said: "The residents deserve to know where the council stands. Leaving them in limbo like this is monstrous."

In December 2007, Mr Ford was sacked as Aberdeenshire Council's infrastructure services committee chair after his vote saw the Trump plan thrown out.

Scottish ministers stepped in and later gave the development the go-ahead.

Mr Ford, who has had long-standing issues with the project, then quit the Lib Dems last year.

Mr Trump last month vowed to cut the ribbon on his golf resort within 18 months.

He said the total cost of the project was likely to be about £750m.