The Trust is welcoming the news that Donald Trump has withdrawn his application for a second golf course at Menie Links in Aberdeenshire.

This follows Mr Trump losing his court battle against the Scottish Government’s approval of the offshore wind farm which he claims will blight his Aberdeenshire golf resort.

The Scottish Wildlife Trust had objected to the original golf course which led to the destruction of a third of the nationally important Foveran Links sand dune system which had great scientific and natural heritage value.

Having lost the appeal, the Trust was gearing-up to do battle again in order to save another part of the spectacular sand dune system at Menie Links – which would have been destroyed had the second golf course been granted planning permission.

Head of Policy for the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Dr Maggie Keegan, said: “The Menie Links coastline hosts a rich assemblage of specially adapted plants and other wildlife, including a diverse breeding bird community and otters.

“Indeed the highly sensitive and dynamic dune system is recognised as one of the top five dune habitats in the whole of the UK.

“During the passage of the first planning application, the Scottish Wildlife Trust failed to convince the Scottish Government that a nationally important site should be protected from development, which has led to a third of this important site being destroyed to be replaced by tarmac, bulldozed sand dunes and grass.

“So it comes as an enormous relief that the rest of this unique and beautiful habitat will now be saved from development.”

To find out more about the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s opposition to the Trump development click here.