The Scottish government has dramatically intervened in an attempt to stop Donald Trump, the US property magnate, walking away from his scheme to build a £1bn seaside golf resort near Aberdeen. Financial Times
Ministers said they would 'call in' the application for review after Aberdeenshire council announced it could not reconsider its refusal to grant planning permission.
'Ministers recognise that the application raises issues of importance that require consideration at a national level,' the government said.
Neil Hobday, director of the project, said Trump had taken a 30-day option on buying land in Northern Ireland, which could provide an alternative site. It is understood to be in County Antrim.
The Scottish government said no decision had been made on how the application would be considered, but it appeared there might not be a public inquiry.
The Trump Organisation had ruled out appealing to Scottish ministers, because it understood this would lead automatically to a public inquiry, which would have taken longer than they were prepared to wait.