US tycoon Donald Trump has halted work on his multi-million pound golf resort in Aberdeenshire until a decision is reached over a nearby wind farm.

The millionaire has previously vowed to fight plans for an 11-turbine wind farm at Aberdeen Bay he has branded "disastrous and environmentally irresponsible".

He says work has been stopped until a decision on the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC), which would be built little more than a mile from his development, can be reached.

That decision is now in the hands of Scottish ministers.

The golf course, which has already been built, will still open in June but future development has been halted.

A statement from the Trump Organisation read: "All further plans for future development, including the hotel, are now on hold until the Scottish Government makes a decision on the application for the EOWDC submitted by Vattenfall and AREG.   

"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 directly off the shoreline."

David Rodger, project spokesman for the wind project, said: "We submitted a planning application to Marine Scotland on August 1, 2011 and we await a decision by Scottish Ministers on that proposal later this year.

"We believe that EOWDC is crucial to the future economy of the region, home of Europe's energy capital, and is of strategic importance to the development of the offshore wind sector for Scotland, the UK and, indeed, Europe."

Mr Trump has twice written to First Minister Alex Salmond objecting to plans for the renewable energy development close to his £750m luxury resort.

Plans for a golf clubhouse at the Menie Estate site at Balmedie, Aberdeenshire were approved by councillors on Tuesday despite nearly 800 objections.

IN DETAIL

• Donald Trump objects to Aberdeen wind farm
• Trump to fight proposed wind farm