A CONTROVERSIAL plan by Donald Trump’s golf company to build 550 homes at his Menie Estate resort in Aberdeenshire will go before councillors on December 12.

A pre-determination hearing will be held that day to discuss the planning application. The US president will not attend the hearing as he had to withdraw from his businesses when he was elected.

Trump International Golf Links Ltd wants to build 550 homes – a mixture of residential units with a minimum of 50 leisure resort units – alongside community facilities, shops, offices, food and drink, landscaping and supporting infrastructure.

Aberdeenshire Council said: “A pre-determination hearing is a formal process allowing those who have already submitted valid representations, as well as the applicant and consultees, to express their views to councillors before any decision is taken. It also provides an opportunity for councillors to seek clarity, so that when they come to make a determination they are fully informed on all aspects of the application before them.

The hearings are not public consultation events. A site visit will take place before the meeting and information will be available on the e-committee section of the Aberdeenshire Council website.

Meanwhile, a second man has been arrested over a paraglider protest during Trump’s visit to his other Scottish golf resort, Turnberry in Ayrshire, in July. A banner reading “Trump Well Below Par” and “#Resist” and carrying the Greenpeace logo.

A 55-year-old man was arrested and charged in July and was released pending further inquiries. Now a 35-year-old has been reported to the procurator fiscal.