More than three years have passed since the £150 million proposals for as many as 500 houses and 50 holiday homes at the Menie Estate were backed by 38 votes to 24.

Under a developer contributions deal agreed by Aberdeenshire Council last year, £770,000 will be paid towards affordable housing in the Ellon area for the first 77 homes delivered as part of the development. It will increase by £10,000 for each extra home added as the work goes on.

Despite the lack of progress since then, Eric Trump insisted the housing plan “remains a big priority” but it will come after the creation of a second course at Balmedie.

Speaking to The Press and Journal, Mr Trump vowed to see the housing plans through – even if it takes 10 years.

He added: “We’re going to finish the second course, we’re going to make that exceptional and we’re going to keep on rolling, as we always do.

“These properties, given their size and magnitude, they can take a decade to build out – sometimes more.

“We built the first course and it’s made waves around the world. The second course is going to do the same thing.”

Inspired by villages such as Monymusk, the development will include two- to five bedroom cottages, townhouses and mansions as well as a residents’ gym, an equestrian centre and space for shops and offices.

Mr Trump said: “We love Scotland, we love everything it stands for and, at the end of the day, we can follow our hearts once in a while.

“We’ve certainly done that with this project and with Turnberry. We’ll continue to invest in them and make them unrivalled anywhere.

“There’s no one who has put more money into Scotland than us.”