Representatives of the American tycoon Donald Trump yesterday accused environmental charities of misrepresenting the facts about his plans for a golf resort.

RSPB Scotland and the Scottish Wildlife Trust claimed that the golf course, in Aberdeenshire, could be built without damaging sand dunes, which are designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI).

The two charities commissioned Mike Wood, a golf course architect, to examine how a championship course could be built at the Menie Estate in North East Scotland without affecting the dunes. Anne McCall, head of planning with RSPB Scotland, argued that it was “entirely possible” to have a golf course there without building on the SSSI area.

The groups are submitting alternative plans to the public inquiry, which will consider the proposals by Mr Trump.

George Sorial, a spokesman for the Trump Organisation, said that the RSPB had made no attempt to get in touch with them to discuss the plans, despite a “constructive meeting” last September at which it was agreed that there would be regular communication.

Mr Sorial said: “Since then the RSPB have made absolutely no attempt to get in touch with us directly either through phone calls, e-mails or letters, despite the fact they have had an open invitation to meet with us at any time and have all my contact details.

“I am still finding it difficult to grasp why the RSPB is not delighted that we will be ceasing the wide-scale massacre of birds which used to occur on Menie when it was a shooting estate.

“They seem intent on focusing on habitat for very limited species which we believe we will not harm, but indeed enhance. This kind of misrepresentation serves to undermine proper consideration of the issues involved.”

Ms McCall said: “In response to Mr Sorial's comments we can only reiterate that an early meeting which appeared to offer a constructive way forward was not matched by commitments on the part of the Trump Organisation or reflected in any communication from that point onwards.

“Since the inception of the project we have tried to find an effective means of reducing environmental damage, an aim which has so far not been achieved and which the environmental statement produced for the applicant makes very clear.

“If Mr Sorial remains keen to discuss solutions we remain keen to talk to him.”

It emerged last week that amendments were being made to the proposed design for a course, which is planned as part of the £1 billion development. A spokeswoman for the Trump Organisation said then that the amended plans were only indicative, but stated that the changes were being made “in response to the environmental issues”.

Ms McCall argued: “Rather than the minor tweak that their new indicative plans would mean, we hope that they will now agree with us that it is entirely possible for them to have a top golf course without building on the SSSI in the north or the sensitive dunes to the south.

“If the development goes ahead it will come at an environmental price but we can make that price smaller.”

Jonny Hughes, the head of policy at the Scottish Wildlife Trust, said that the recent changes showed that the Trump team had “taken a step in the right direction in at least acknowledging the national importance of the dynamic sand dunes of Menie Links”.

Mr Hughes added: “What we fail to understand is why they don't go one step further and move the whole course away from the SSSI. The new design by Mike Wood shows this is easily possible.”

The Trump Organisation's plans for a golf resort were rejected by local councillors in Aberdeenshire, before being called in by the Scottish government.

A public inquiry will take place in Aberdeen next month to consider the proposed development.

Mr Trump confirmed last month that he would give evidence at the inquiry.

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