Donald Trump will challenge north east councillors after it blocked approval of a flagpole, flying the Saltire, being erected at his golf course.
The billionaire tycoon and US presidential candidate built two 80ft flagpoles bearing Scotland’s national emblem outside his clubhouse on the Menie Estate at Trump International Golf Links last year.
But Aberdeenshire Council ordered the club to remove the structures as they were installed without planning permission.
And yesterday, councillors on the Formartine area committee blocked one, just 45ft south of his clubhouse, from going back up.
Members did, however, approve a flagpole being erected near the on-site hotel, MacLeod House.
Aberdeenshire Council planners had called for councillors to back both flagpoles for approval.
And a spokeswoman for the golf course has now said they will challenge the decision legally.
Branding the result “bizarre”, she said councillors had gone against their own professional advice.
She added: “There is no legal basis for this bizarre decision which we will, of course, appeal.
“To allow us to fly the national flag next to our hotel but not permit us to fly the exact same flag next to our clubhouse is nonsense.
“Not to mention the fact that this same council routinely approves planning applications for colossal wind turbines that blight the landscape across the region.
“This is small-minded, petty politics at its worst.”
Rob Merson, chairman of the area committee, said the application was refused in consensus.
He explained: “It was marginal for me, but most of the other members felt they did object to that one because there was a disproportionate impact on the landscape.
“I didn’t feel strongly enough about it to move anything on it, so it was rejected by consensus.”
Previously, Sarah Malone, of Trump International Golf Links Scotland, said: “We’re a five-star international resort – I cannot believe that us proudly flying a couple of Saltire flags could be so objectionable.”