US President Donald Trump's golf course in the north east of Scotland has "partially destroyed" the specially protected site on which it was built.
The BBC reported that the findings were contained in a draft monitoring report by Scottish Natural Heritage.
The 2016 findings said there was no hope of recovery for the partially destroyed site, which the president may visit this weekend.
The controversial course is partly built on Foveran Links, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, originally listed as one of the most exceptional sand dune systems in Britain.
In 2008, SNH warned a planning inquiry that the golf course development would seriously damage the SSSI.
Planning permission was granted on the basis that the potential economic benefit would outweigh environmental harm.
The draft site condition and monitoring report states that "part of the site has been destroyed or damaged by the construction of the golf course on Menie".
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The report added: "Most of its important geomorphological features have been lost or reduced to fragments."
In November 2017, SNH confirmed that it was reviewing the site as part of a wider review including other SSSIs.
The decision on the status of the site is due to be taken by the SNH board later this year.
Ross Johnston, SNH head of operations, said: "We are reviewing a number of SSSI designations across Scotland including the Foveran Links SSSI which overlaps the Menie golf course.
"The results of the full review will be published after it has been considered by SNH's board later in the year."
The Trump Organisation has previously said that it would be comfortable with any decision reached and insisted that its environmental approach in Aberdeenshire has been "first class".
The findings were released to the BBC under freedom of information, ahead of the president's UK visit.
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