Trump International ordered to pay £225,000 to Scottish government

Donald Trump's golf course company has been ordered to pay almost £250,000 in legal expenses to the Scottish Government following a court battle over a wind farm.

The US president mounted a lengthy challenge against plans for an 11-turbine scheme off the Aberdeenshire coast, claiming it would spoil the view from his Balmedie golf course.

Now, almost four years after his case was dismissed at the UK Supreme Court, Trump International Golf Club Scotland Ltd has been told to pay £225,000 in legal fees to Scottish ministers.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "We can confirm that settlement has now been reached - and this has removed the need for the expenses to be determined by the auditor of the Court of Session.

"Expenses amounting to £225,000 will now be paid to Scottish ministers by the petitioners.''

Mr Trump launched the legal challenge against Vattenfall's European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre, which began operating this summer after the Scottish Government granted planning approval in 2013.

He appealed to the UK's highest court after twice losing fights in Scottish courts but judges there unanimously dismissed the case.

His wind farm opposition led to him giving evidence at the Scottish Parliament as a witness at a committee inquiry into the Scottish Government's renewable energy targets.

Asked to point to evidence wind farms will destroy tourism, Mr Trump said: "I am the evidence.

"I am an expert in tourism, I am considered a world-class expert in tourism so when you say 'where is the evidence?' - I am the evidence."

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