The outcome of the public inquiry into the £1 billion resort development conducted by James McCulloch, Chief Reporter and Director for Planning and Environmental Appeals, is to be sent by within the next two weeks to the Scottish executive.
John Swinney, Finance Minister, has promised to give his decision within 28 days of receiving it.
The plans, which have been opposed by environmentalists who claim the development would harm listed sand dunes, includes two championship links courses, a five star hotel and clubhouse and up to 1,500 homes, including private housing and holiday properties.
The planning application was called in by the Scottish Executive last year after an Aberdeenshire Council committee rejected it on the casting vote of one Liberal Democratic councillor.
Other opponents said the project would create mansions for rich golfers, many of them from overseas, rather than affordable housing for first-time buyers.
But Alex Salmond, leader of the SNP and first minister in the Scottish assembly, was said to have been furious that the scheme had been rejected. He and fellow ministers were said to be unhappy that the rejection gave would-be investors from abroad the impression that Scotland is not interested in doing business.
With the current credit crunch affecting the economy in Scotland business leaders believe projects like this are needed to keep money flowing into the north east of the country.
The Scottish Chambers of Commerce, the Confederation of British Industry, the Scottish Council for Development and Industry, the Federation of Small Businesses and the Institute of Directors all back the resort.
They believe that with the economy struggling, the American tycoon's development could create much-needed jobs and boost the construction and tourism industries.
Liz Cameron, SCC chief executive, said the economic impact of the development far outweighed environmental concerns. 'We have an once-in-a-lifetime inward investment opportunity which we must grasp with open arms. With declining business and consumer confidence having a material effect on our economy, growth rates are becoming dangerously shallow and our economy needs every boost it can get at the moment,' she added.
