The Duke of Rothesay wanted to build a visitor attraction in woodland at Dumfries House, near Cumnock.

However, The Times reports that the Dumfries House Trust withdrew the plans after concerns were raised by Scottish Natural Heritage about where the squirrels would come from.

Red squirrels are a protected species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Scottish Natural Heritage had asked for “additional information regarding where the squirrels will be coming from, and how many. If the squirrels are to be taken from the wild, a licence will be required from SNH.”

They also wanted “assurances that the red squirrels will be kept in the enclosure” and that the proposal did not “constitute a conservation translocation or reintroduction”.

Red squirrel numbers are dwindling due to the rise of grey squirrels, which compete for their food and habitat. Non-native greys also carry a virus that is fatal to red squirrels.

Plans submitted to the prince’s local council state: “This planning application is for the creation of a fenced area within a woodland environment to house translocated red squirrels.”

Under the plans, the development would have included raised walkways from which to view the squirrels. The enclosure was due to cover about 0.8 acres of woodland surrounded by a 1.8m high fence.