US billionaire Donald Trump has stopped construction work on his controversial £750m Aberdeenshire golf course, while he awaits a decision on an offshore windfarm.

The Scottish Government is currently assessing a planning application for an 11-turbine wind farm off Aberdeen Bay.

A statement from the Trump Organisation said: "If the north east of Scotland is serious about tourism and creating a global golf destination, it cannot allow the coastline to be ruined by an ugly industrial park - 11 64-storey test turbines - directly off the shoreline."

Yesterday, plans for a five-star clubhouse on the Trump site in Aberdeenshire were approved by the local council.

Trump has twice written to Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond objecting to the offshore proposal.

He described the turbines as "disastrous and environmentally irresponsible", which would leave an "ugly cloud hanging over the future of the great Scottish coastline".

The £750 million development on the Menie estate on the Aberdeenshire coast is nearing completion after work began in 2010. The Trump Organisation said it intends to open the championship golf course ahead of schedule at the end of June.

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