The sand dunes where Donald Trump built his golf course in Aberdeenshire could have their special conservation status revoked following a review.
Scottish Natural Heritage said Trump International Golf Links at Balmedie, which was opened just over five years ago, has caused “permanent habitat loss” and other damage.
The course covers part of the Foveran Links site of special scientific interest (SSSI), which was considered to be one of the best examples of a mobile sand dune system in the UK.
A spokesman for Scottish Natural Heritage, which objected to the golf course development, said a review into the site’s environmental impact is due to be completed by the end of the year.
The sand dunes at the site could be stripped of their status as a SSSI.
The spokesman said: “We are currently reviewing the SSSI boundary of Foveran Links and hope to complete this by the end of December.
“As expected, there are areas where there has been some permanent habitat loss – for example, where tracks, tees, fairways and greens have been constructed.
“There have been other habitat changes where, for example, mobile sand dunes have been stabilised through the planting of marram grass.
“Part of our review will be to assess the significance and scale of this loss and damage.”
Glasgow University coastal ecology expert Jim Hansom spoke out about the impact of the course as part of a BBC Scotland documentary about Mr Trump’s first year as US president.
He said: “It’s been ruined from a virgin undeveloped wilderness site into something that’s relatively manicured.”
He added that he would be “absolutely surprised” of Foveran Links did not lose its SSSI status.
Sarah Malone, executive vice-president of Trump International Golf Links Scotland said the golf course owns less than 5% of the SSSI, and that 95% remains untouched.
She said: “I don’t think it matters to us. It may matter to other people, and we’ll be comfortable with whatever the option and the decision on that is.
“We bought the site because of these extraordinary sand dunes. Why would we do anything to damage them?
“The fact of the matter is, contrary to what is propagated by a very small group of people, our environmental approach was first class.”
Trump International has submitted a planning application for a second golf course at the site.
