Sand dunes at Trump golf course set to lose protected status after Scottish government says resort ‘destroyed’ ecosystem

US president's business claims move is 'politically motivated' and a 'stitch-up'

Tom Embury-Dennis @tomemburyd
4 hours ago

Sand dunes at Donald Trump's Aberdeenshire golf resort are set to lose their status as a protected wildlife site after experts said the course had "destroyed" the ecosystem, causing permanent habitat loss.

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), a government watchdog, said there is no longer a reason to protect the dunes at Menie as they do not include enough of the special features for which they were designated a site of special scientific interest (SSSI).

The Trump Organisation, which was granted permission to build the course despite concerns over environmental damage, branded the move an "utter disgrace" and said it was "politically motivated".

he SSSI designation is given to areas with rare species of fauna or flora, or with important geological or physiological features.

Two years ago, SNH concluded Mr Trump's family business had partially destroyed the protected sand dunes by building the Trump International Golf Links, which opened in 2012.

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