NI loses out on Trump golf plan

Donald Trump's golf complex will be built in Scotland

American tycoon Donald Trump has won his battle to build a £1bn golf resort in Scotland.

It had been hoped the billionaire would site the complex, comprising two golf courses and hundreds of houses, in County Antrim.

He raised hopes when he sent an advisor to Northern Ireland in January to look at potential sites for the project.

However, on Monday, he was given the go-ahead to build the complex at Menie in Aberdeenshire.

His original plan to locate the golf courses in Scotland was rejected by an Aberdeenshire Council committee.

However, the then Stormont first minister, Ian Paisley, met Mr Trump during a visit to New York in December and the two discussed the possibility of bringing his courses to Northern Ireland.

Despite sending his representative to view possible sites in Northern Ireland, he continued his battle for permission to build in Scotland.

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond welcomed the news and said it could mean as many as 6,000 jobs during construction of the complex.