Birds get Trumped on

A stretch of remote Scottish coastline home to rare bird species may soon become a sprawling, golf resort developed by tycoon Donald Trump.

On Nov. 20, the Aberdeenshire council in Scotland voted in favor of turning the Sand Dunes at Menie Estate into the $2.1 billion resort. It’s to feature two 18-hole courses, a hotel, vacation homes, golf villas and 500 upscale homes with starting prices of $827,000.

Environmentalists and local citizens have fought Trump’s proposal for four years. Specific concerns include the resort’s increased threat on seven species of endangered rare birds, including Skylarks, Lapwings and Redshank; and its threat to the area’s peaceful atmosphere.

The proposal still awaits approval by the Scottish government, which is expected to make a decision in January.