A £115m golf course on the outskirts of Aberdeen has been given the go-ahead by the Scottish Government, less than 48-hours after Donald Trump’s £1bn Balmedie golf resort was also approved.

The course, designed by former Open champion Paul Lawrie and being developed by the Muir Group, will also boast a hotel and housing. The proposal was previously okayed by Aberdeenshire Council and the government has decided not to call it in, like it did for Trump’s project.

The housing will pay for the £30m restoration of Blairs College – a former Roman Catholic seminary located on the site – into a hotel, conference and leisure centre.

John Muir, chair of the Muir Group, said: “This decision now formally opens the door for a massive £115m investment in Aberdeenshire, which in time will deliver nearly 1,000 jobs for the area.

“I am thoroughly excited by the vision that can now be implemented in terms of enabling leisure and business tourism through a world-class resort and a signature championship golf course by local golfing hero Paul Lawrie.”

Lawrie himself welcomed the news that his first course was to be built. He said: “This decision, coupled with the recent announcement on the Donald Trump application, will ensure that the northeast of Scotland now truly has the potential to become one of the world’s top golfing destinations.

“To be part of a development which will provide my local community with access to an international, championship golf course, and one which they can be proud of, is a day I cannot wait to see.”

The course is expected to be open to the public within three years.