Environmental charities have put forward their own alternative plans for Donald Trump's £1bn planned golf resort in the north east of Scotland.
RSPB Scotland and the Scottish Wildlife Trust said it was "entirely possible" to build the course without encroaching onto sensitive sand dunes.
But Mr Trump said the revised layout would not constitute a proper links or championship course.
A public local inquiry into the development will take place next month.
Some of the sand dunes around the proposed Menie Estate site are designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI).
RSPB Scotland and the Scottish Wildlife Trust asked golf course architect Mike Wood to examine how a championship course could be built without affecting the dunes.
It emerged last week that amendments were being made to the proposed design by the Trump Organisation.
A spokeswoman said they were only indicative but were being made "in response to the environmental issues".
But Anne McCall, head of planning with RSPB Scotland, argued: "Rather than the minor tweak that their new indicative plans would mean, we hope that they will now agree with us that it's 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."
SEE THE ALTERNATIVE PLANS
Jonny Hughes, the head of policy at the Scottish Wildlife Trust, said the recent changes showed 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".
He 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."
Sincerely appreciated
Donald Trump's spokesman George Sorial said environmental measures would be taken to preserve the protected area for future generations, and next month's public local inquiry would be the best forum for the issue to be fully debated.
Mr Sorial said: "We sincerely appreciate the RSPB's efforts at golf course design, but on initial examination the layout would not constitute a links course and is certainly not a championship course.
"We remain open to recommendations to enhance our course plans provided they are in the best interests of the environment and the development."
The Trump organisation's plans for a golf resort were rejected by local councillors in Aberdeenshire, before being called in by the Scottish Government.
The environmental group's alternative plans will also be submitted to the public inquiry in Aberdeen next month.
Mr Trump confirmed last month that he would give evidence at the inquiry.
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