IMPORTANT bird habitats and feeding grounds could be covered with concrete in a bid to boost industry on the north Ayrshire coastline.
A development blueprint is poised to trigger the latest environmental battle at Hunterston, where plans for a massive coal-fired power station using unproven "clean coal" technology were thrown out by the local authority earlier this year.
Concern is now focussed on the council's Local Development Plan (LDP), which earmarks 63% of the Portencross Coast Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for potential development.
RSPB Scotland said building on the wetland area of mudflats would be disastrous for birds such as the bar-tailed godwit, curlew, dunlin, eider ducks, greenshank, redshank and ringed plover.
Zoe Clelland, RSPB Scotland's senior conservation officer for Central Scotland, said: "It is alarming to see this important wildlife site is still earmarked for development.
"North Ayrshire Council made the right decision in turning down the proposals for a coal-fired power station and it's crucial this success is built upon rather than destroyed. There is potential to accommodate significant development on the existing site at Hunterston without destroying a protected wildlife site. This would help deliver sustainable development and economic growth."
Earlier this year it was claimed Hunterston would deliver electricity to power up to three million Scottish homes and create up to 1600 jobs at the peak of construction and at least 160 permanent jobs in the area. But an extraordinary 20,000 objections were received.
The wildlife charity is calling on its members and supporters to object to the latest proposals, with Ms Clelland saying profound environmental concerns remained about the stretch of coastline.
The Portencross SSSI was designated in 1971 for its great variety of seashore habitats with interesting plants. It hosts the best mudflats for wildfowl and waders in the Clyde and features fine worn-out platform, caves and cliffs.
A spokesman for North Ayrshire Council said: "The boundary for future development of Hunterston – which includes a section of Portencross Coast – remains largely unchanged from the proposed LDP, which was published in April 2011.
"The main change to the new modified plan is the removal of provision for clean coal, gas or biomass power generation on the site.
"Any application which could potentially affect the SSSI would involve consultation with a variety of stakeholders, including Scottish Natural Heritage. Any implications for the SSSI are as yet unclear, as no detailed proposals are being considered."
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