Donald Trump, the US presidential contender who has electrified the republican right, has taken his campaign against windfarms to the UK’s supreme court.

Despite losing at every stage in the Scottish courts, the billionaire property developer is funding a fresh challenge to prevent offshore turbines being built within sight of his Menie golf resort in Aberdeenshire.

The New York tycoon, who declared he was prepared to spend $1bn (£650m) to advance his political ambitions, has sufficient resources to bankroll another round of protracted, private litigation. He has already threatened to take his lawsuit to European courts if he loses in the supreme court.

Trump, 69, whose mother was Scottish, did not appear in person at the supreme court in Westminster on Thursday. The presidential race, in which he has emerged as a Republican frontrunner, is heating up.

The Menie estate was purchased by Trump in 2006 and transformed into a golf resort on protected coastal dunes north of Aberdeen.

In 2011, Aberdeen Offshore Wind Farm Limited applied for consent under the Electricity Act 1989 to construct an electricity generating station and offshore wind turbines off Aberdeenshire.

Permission was granted by the Scottish government in 2013 for 11 turbines, which Trump says will form a “monstrous” blight on the coastal landscape. He is questioning whether the planning decision is lawful. The turbines will be about 2 miles (3km) from the course.

The case, set for a day’s hearing at the supreme court, focuses on the correct interpretation of the Electricity Act 1989 – specifically who is eligible “to apply for consent to construct a generating station”.

John Campbell QC, representing Trump, told the court that the regulations governing protection of the environment for major electricity schemes had been misinterpreted.



Elaine Motion, of Trump’s Edinburgh solicitors Balfour + Manson, said: “Our client feels quite strongly about the principles so that’s why we are going down to the court.”



Donald Trump’s golf course under construction. Photograph: Murdo MacLeod/The Guardian

Trump has accused Scotland’s former first minister, Alex Salmond – originally a powerful ally for the New York-based property developer – of being biased in favour of the £230m project and skewing the approval process.

In June, three senior judges in Edinburgh ruled that the allegations were unfounded and that Trump had no grounds for accusing Scottish ministers of illegally agreeing to license the experimental 100MW offshore windfarm.

Lang Banks, director of WWF Scotland, said: “Donald Trump should be using his vast wealth to do good instead of trying kill off initiatives that will create jobs, boost the economy and help cut carbon emissions.



“Once up and running, this test facility will be ideally placed to help test the technologies needed to harness Scotland’s huge offshore renewables potential, ensuring learning by industry, and playing an important role in helping to drive down costs.”

A personal message on Trump’s golf course website declares: “When I saw this piece of land I was overwhelmed by the imposing dunes and rugged Aberdeenshire coastline. I knew that this was the perfect site for Trump International, Scotland. I have never seen such an unspoiled and dramatic seaside landscape and the location makes it perfect for our development.”

The case is being be heard by five justices: lords Neuberger, Mance, Reed, Carnwath and Hodge.



In future, the supreme court is likely to hear fewer Scottish cases. The threshold test certifying that any claim raises a significant point of law will be raised from 22 October, bringing it into line with other parts of the UK.



In the past, the endorsement of two QCs was deemed sufficient for any appeal from Scotland’s inner house, its highest civil court, to go to the supreme court in London. The Trump appeal was referred under the soon-to-be replaced procedure.