Plans have been approved to extend a boutique hotel at the heart of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s Aberdeenshire golf course.

An agreement has now been reached between Aberdeenshire Council and the Trump Organisation over plans to expand MacLeod House – the centrepiece of Trump’s golf resort at Menie, near Balmedie.

Planning consent was given by councillors last year to extend the B-listed building but progress had stalled as the finer details were agreed.

Designed by Covell Matthews Architects, the proposed changes include adding a 450-person function suite, six additional bedrooms, an outdoor terrace, gym, kitchen facilities and a 79-space car park to the hotel.

Thousands of pounds in community contributions have now been agreed between the two organisations, clearing the way for work to start.

Concerns had been raised regarding the scale and impact the building work could have on 17th century MacLeod House.

Though Aberdeenshire Council’s head of planning and building standards, Robert Gray, said: “Trump International Golf Club is now an established tourist facility and the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan promotes tourist developments provided they are carefully located, sited and designed to provide high-quality facilities which fit successfully into the environment.”

He added: “It is considered that the development accords with the relevant policies of the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2012, in that the proposal will not unacceptably impact on the character of the landscape and the scale and design will not have a detrimental impact on the character and amenity of the built environment of the surrounding area.”