June 8 2007

The Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) has become the latest environmental group to speak out against billionaire Donald Trump's plans for a lavish £1 billion golf resort near Aberdeen.

The SWT lodged an objection to the planning application on the grounds that acres of sand dunes would be "effectively destroyed," placing the local wildlife in danger.

The trust's criticism follows opposition to the project from Scottish Natural Heritage and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

If approved, the development would include two 18-hole golf courses; a 450 room hotel, conference centre and spa; 950 holiday homes; 500 homes and 36 golf villas, potentially bringing in £50 million per annum to the local economy and creating thousands of jobs.

Trump Organisation spokesman, Lora McCluskey, said the company was "currently reviewing all comments regarding its planning application" and would address "the environmental concerns in due course."

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