The Trump Organisation says it intends to spend £150m building 550 homes and cottages in Aberdeenshire.

The company said it would be the second phase of a £750m investment at Menie - £250m short of what was originally promised by the US President.

Donald Trump claimed he would invest £1bn in the golf resort when it was given the go-ahead in 2008.

The Trump Organisation said 2000 people will be employed in the construction of the homes, which will also create 300 permanent jobs.

Trump International executive vice-president Sarah Malone said: "From the outset, our vision was to create a world-class leisure destination and sustainable community defined by quality and authenticity.

"The next phase builds on the international reputation of our championship golf course - ranked within the top 50 golf courses in the world - and harness the natural beauty of this mature site."

Trump International was built on an area of protected wilderness, which Scottish Natural Heritage recently said he been "partially destroyed" by the development.

The housing development will comprise 500 two, three, four and five bedroom cottages, townhouses and mansions ranging between £295,000 and several million pounds.

The Trump Organisation also wants to build sports and equestrian centres, as well as shops. However, it has abandoned plans to build a 450-bedroom hotel.

A spokesman for Aberdeenshire Council said: "We have received the planning application for proposed developments at the Menie Estate, Aberdeenshire.

"Officers will spend time processing this application before it can be considered valid or live."

Trump, who handed control of the Trump Organisation to his children shortly before being inaugurated as President, repeatedly delayed the development of his award-winning resort near Balmedie.

He attributed the delay partly to the construction of an offshore wind farm a short distance from the course.

He won permission to build two 18-hole courses in 2008, along with a 450-bedroom hotel, 950 holiday homes and up to 500 homes. Only one course and a small hotel have been built so far.

The Scottish Government has insisted Trump must stick to his initial plan, however, which includes affordable housing and a primary school.

Trump International has lost more than £1m each year since it opened, reporting a £1.13m loss in 2014, £1.82m in 2013 and £1.74m in 2012.