I was a local until earlier this year, and had a real fear that the environMENTALISTS at Aberdeenshire council would completely fail to see what obvious benefit this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity would have to the area, despite public support. There is masses of space up there- more than enough for the development to go ahead without making harmful inroads into the dunes etc. What is Mr Salmond to do? He is the local MSP and therefore should be in full possession of the facts. That he is being criticised by opposition MSPs for trying to do his duty smacks of opportunistic party politics.

Phil, London,

Salmond is not under any pressure to explain anything,. This meeting was not secret and was reporterd in the local press. A week later it was seized on by the hostile Unionist press (and BBC) in Scotland in a rather obvious attempt to deflect fire from Wendy Alexander and allegations of corruption.
Intelligent Scottish voters were not fooled, intelligent English readers should not be fooled either.

Iain, Glasgow, uk

This is last weeks news, please keep up. Alex Salmond released a statement on this meeting on Monday and it was reported in the Aberdeen Evening Express that day. It was reported on the BBC as a secret meeting?

He also met two months ago the representatives of the objectors.

The only reason this is reported is that the opposition cannot lay a glove on the SNP at the moment.

I totally agree with the former Conservative chairman who says that the SNP will wipe out the opposition at the next election. Brown may even be in danger of loosing his seat

John Fife, Leven, Fife

So Alex Salmond is in bed with Donald Trump. No surprises there, with his money Trump can buy any kind of whore he desires.

Shirley Hodge, Glasgow, E. Renfrewshire

Come on folks, know when you are being spun...

This is a non-story - local MSP meets representatives of proposed big ticket controversial local development, and makes a public announcement of meeting, all reported in the local newspaper a week ago. Yes, a week ago.

Hands up who thinks Salmond shouldn't meet people proposing large well-publicised controversial developments in his constituency ? He also met various objectors to the proposal. Should he as the MSP have refused to meet them?

This is cauld kail het up by the Labour party to try to deflect attention from the farce of Wendy and Charlie. Two crimes admitted, but still no resignations...and further suggestions of other abuses of parliamentary office came out over the weekend. That sounds much more like an actual story to me.

Gordon, Aberdeen,

Lets see, take worthless land, rezone for housing, build 1000 1 million pound houses.....who needs Trump?

Finlay McMillan, Montreal, Canada

oh no, not more corruption. Thats all politics needs.

Or maybe thats all Politics is.

Arthur, Newcastle,

Being an Aberdonian I know the area well.
I was astonished that the proposal was knocked back and I am now even more astonished to learn that this was down to only 14 councillors and a deciding vote by a man who should really stand for the Green party.
Should you care to look at it,the Guardian has a map showing the proposed development.There is a small area of SSI and a huge area which could be developed without impinging on the flora and fauna.
Tourism should be invited to this area and I cannot see why it would not benefit the local population.
Yes, foreign workers are in ALL the hotels and restaurants of the UK but that is far from a good reason to scupper this proposal.

Disgruntled Dorothy, Glasgow, Scotland

The local planning department considered the application and after weighing up the pros and cons decided that the application would be rejected as they believe it would damage the sand dunes which are protected.

The local consideration is imperative in this case and if it is overridden by the Scottish Office from pressure then we may as well just accept all planning applications for big business as this will set a precedent.

To Catherine Perrie, Bannockburn, Stirling, Scotland, I do not remember ever voting on this issue so please do not suggest that the majority of scots are for this as frankly most do not care one way or the other. The only people who really care are the local population and they are the only ones that matter.

Joe, Edinburgh, Scotland

Go "numpty councillors" you have the best thoughts for Scotland at heart. Save your wonderful countryside.

Deborah B. Luyster, Jacksonville, USA/Florida

I look at this as a purely disinterested observer from South East England, who also happens to be an American. I live in Croydon and looking at a map of the borough, it seems that the only green spaces in Croydon are taken up by golf courses. Loads of land for the very few to enjoy. Maybe people do network on the golf course ( do they take their mobiles along as well as ride the golf buggy - therefore not employing a caddy for the heavy clubs they'd have to carry?), but not much use for all to enjoy.
I note with interest that there is a protest about the setting aside of some land for 5 a side football pitches in another public park in London. And so there should be: The land is then ear-marked for sport by a few and not enjoyed by the many.
Although I'd love to see Donald Trump in a strong breeze and work out his coiffure, I am with the people who want to keep the land as free land. The farmer who is holding out has my sincere backing.
Golf courses! Who needs them??

Carlyle Len and Charlotte Braden, Croydon, U.K

Salmond and the SNP have been a breath of fresh air - though anything that got us away from the stench that pervaded Holyrood before would be an improvement. He is quite right to check that decisions are being taken for the good of Scotland as a whole and the local area in particular as opposed to letting "nimbyism" and the 'fluffy bunny brigade" run riot. Let's face it - and I say this as a former local conservative chairman - the SNP will wipe out Scotland, including Prudence Brown, at the next election.

PETER CLOSE, BERWICK-UPON-TWEED,

What jobs are they talking about? Do they mean the usual low paid jobs for migrant workers? In this case there is no economic benefit for Scottish people just a destruction of their beautiful scenary.

David, Manchester, UK

As a constituent of both Alex Salmond and Martin Ford, I consider my comments have some relevence. The committee which threw out the application was composed of 14 members of a council of 68. The other councils were barred from the decision process. The chairman an avowed environmentalist scuppered the application despite 90% of the inhabitants of the county wishing it to proceed .Our MSP has spoken to all interested parties and his meeting with the Trump organisation was not secret but revealed in the Aberdeen papers at the time. I am delighted the apllication was called in for at last we might have the democtratic will of Aberdeenshire heard on the matter.

Huntly Loon, Fintray, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Ms Alexander is heading for jail. The heat is still very much on. She lost one spin doctor after a month. His replacement went after one week and now her third is leaving BEFORE taking up his post!

J B, Ayr, Scotland

When I read that the Trump application had been turned down I was delighted and some of my faith in local politics was restored. What a crying shame this has now been called in, and we all know the result will be a triumph for mega-rich Trump. Does Scotland really need another golf club I have to ask? And does Trump really need to make another couple of million bucks? Another sad day for the so0called Green Belt...

Janey, Sydney, Australia

Alex Salmond as the Member of the Scottish Parliament for this area has to meet with all parties concerned in this proposed application.

Not to keep up to date as Stevens the Lib.Dem leader suggests would be neglecting his constituents.

The first Minister is very aware that he has not, to have any roll in the planning process, or show his preference for, or against and as I am sure we have here a man of integrity, he has acted and will act just so.

I can take from the Unionist response they are against. the preposed venture. I am, just like the majory of Scots FOR the scheme. Good Luck to Trump. May common sense prevail in the Scottish Parliment.

Catherine Perrie, Bannockburn, Stirling, Scotland

Thank God Salmond has the wit to ensure this project is given strategic consideration, away from the bailiwick of numpty councillors.

Silver Shred, in the jamjar, Scotland