Lowest voted concerns ever

Described variously by Donald Trump as a "masterpiece", environmentally friendly and a source of "great pride, revenue and employment" in a letter to Aberdeen councillors, Trump International Golf Links certainly looks good on paper.

The planned development includes two championship standard golf courses, a 5-star hotel, state-of-the-art golf academy, turf grass research centre and many residential properties.

More details can be found at http://www.trumpgolfscotland.com/development_plans/development_plans.asp

Balmedie Beach
The proposed site at Balmedie Beach forms part of the Foveran Links Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has suggested that the mobile dunes at the site would be destroyed by the necessary stabilisation required for the construction of a golf course.

Economic impact
Those in favour of the Resort cite in support of it the estimated £1bn of investment into Scotland's economy which would be brought, along with an injection of jobs, and a boost to the nation's tourism and sports industries.

Politics
The issue has been 'called in' by the Scottish Parliament, for determination by the Scottish Ministers instead of local planning authorities.

As seen in the news over the past few days, the UK government intend to extend detention without charge for terrorist suspects to 42 days.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7207659.stm

The SNP are considering raising the earliest age at which alcohol can be bought at off-licences from 18 to 21.

This follows a trial in Armadale which reportedly resulted in a reduction in alcohol-related antisocial behaviour.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7457089.stm

MPs are supporting a scheme to use personal 'carbon credits' instead of green taxes to reduce emissions.

The Environmental Audit Committee has said this would be more effective in reducing emissions than carbon taxes.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7419724.stm

The SNP propose to abolish the current Council Tax system, replacing it with a Local Income Tax, based on the ability to pay.

http://www.snp.org/node/6992

The government's UK Border Agency plans to increase the number of immigrant detention places by between 1,300 and 1,500 according to immigration minister Liam Byrne.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7408121.stm

The SNP have called for Scotland to receive a specific share of the extra money being earned from North Sea oil fields as a result of current record oil prices.

Kenneth Gibson, an SNP MSP, has accused the UK energy minister Malcolm Wicks of 'squirming' in an attempt to dismiss the SNP's demands.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article4076595.ece

The government plans to release 550 non-violent and non-sexual offenders from English and Welsh prisons at the half-way point in their sentences, earlier than the normal two-thirds.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7422737.stm