The Donald Gets Approval...Maybe

Now, last week we learned that Martin Hawtree had been hired to do Donald Trump's future Open Championship host site course in Northern Scotland.  Well it seems the project has been approved according to the Times, or has it?

Of 432 letters received by the council, 105 objected and 327 supported the proposal. A 28-signature petition against was also received. Objectors said that it was the whim of one rich individual; it would increase house prices; and most of the jobs would be seasonal and low-paid. It was inappropriate in scale and would destroy wildlife and the rare sand dune system.

Those in favour, however, described it as the best thing to happen since North Sea oil; it was vital economically; and no other country would pass up such an opportunity.

Raymond Reid, Aberdeenshire Council’s head of development, said that the golf resort proposal was an occasion where the social and economic benefits were of national importance and these did override the adverse environmental impacts.

Tom Fazio, a leading American golf architect, has been appointed to design the courses around the dunes, which will be stabilised by planting marram grass.

Since Tom Fazio was never involved and Tommy Fazio was dumped in favor of Martin Hawtree so that The Donald could lure an Open, I'm not sure how much validity this story has.