Nearly two-thirds of Scots now oppose plans by property tycoon Donald trump to evict local residents to clear the way for his plans for a luxury golf resort.
The polling results published by the Scottish Green Party reveals a clear two-to-one majority now oppose Trump's proposed golf and leisure resort in Aberdeenshire.
Trump's organisation has long claimed that 93% of the local population support the project, which, according to the Green Party, would require the eviction of local residents and the destruction of a unique and protected dune system.
These results come ahead of a visit by Green MSP Patrick Harvie to the home of Molly Forbes, the 86-year-old local resident currently challenging Trump and Aberdeenshire Council in court over the project.
Mrs Forbes lives on the Menie Estate with her family, and despite her clear desire not to sell her home, the Trump Organisation and Aberdeenshire Council have refused to lift the threat of compulsory purchase orders and eviction.
Patrick Harvie MSP said: "Increasingly, people are taking a very simple view on this issue. On one side they see a bullying billionaire bent on throwing vulnerable local residents from their own homes and on trashing this extraordinary environment.
“On the other side, Molly Forbes and others living on the Menie Estate have become reluctant local heroes, the last line of defence against Trump's evictions and bulldozers. The other parties in Parliament must now say whose side they're on, and I urge them to make a stand for local people and against Trump.
"It's therefore a great honour to meet Molly and her neighbours, and to come and see the homes and the dunes under threat from this disastrous project.
“I'm delighted to be able to tell her that Aberdeenshire Council and the Scottish Government may have let her down, but the sensible majority of Scots are on her side by a majority of almost two to one. Mr Trump must now lift the threat of eviction he has left hanging over these families - it is causing extraordinary suffering."
Polling company Angus Reid quizzed 1001 Scottish adults, with the question: “Donald Trump is planning a luxury golf resort which his company says would bring jobs to Aberdeenshire, but his plans would require evicting local residents who do not wish to sell, and building on protected land. Do you support this project?”
According to the results, 64% responded no and just 36% were in favour.
Commenting on the polling data, Sue Edwards, Green candidate for Gordon, added: "These latest figures build on polling last year which showed that almost three-quarters of Scots were opposed to using compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) to help Donald Trump force local people out of their homes.
“Now it has been confirmed that a clear majority of Scots are opposed to the development as such - not just the wrongful use of compulsory purchase to help a private developer build a leisure complex.
"These figures continue a trend - the more people have learnt of Donald Trump's plans and his methods, the more unpopular his scheme has become.
"The Trump Organization should now publicly announce that it has abandoned any intention of seeking to use compulsory purchase orders against residents. And Aberdeenshire Council should make it clear it will not entertain the use of CPOs at Menie either. This would give residents the certainty and peace of mind they deserve.
"And if Donald Trump really wants to rescue his and his resort's reputation, he should announce that he will not continue with his plans to develop on the Site of Special Scientific Interest."
The Menie estate lies entirely within the Gordon parliamentary constituency. As well as being the Green parliamentary candidate for Gordon, Sue Edwards is also an active member of locally based campaign group Tripping Up Trump.
Cllr Debra Storr, Balmedie around 1 year, 9 months ago