LONDON (AP) — Scottish Natural Heritage says the sand dunes at Donald Trump's golf resort north of Aberdeen may lose their protected status after being affected by the course's construction.

SNH's Sally Thomas said Friday "we have found there is no longer a reason to protect the dunes at Menie as they do not include enough of the special, natural features for which they were designated."

The drifts at the Trump International Golf Links Scotland were considered one of the best examples of moving dunes in Britain. They developed over 4,000 years.

Sarah Malone, executive vice president at Trump International, said the statement was "an utter disgrace" and slammed the SNH for making the announcement to the media "before informing us, the actual landowner." She says it "shows how politically-motivated this decision is."