Lawyers acting for Donald Trump have challenged the legality of a decision to approve an offshore windfarm near his golf resort on the Aberdeenshire coast.
The cart was put before the horse in granting consent without a licence to generate electricity, his legal team argued at the Court of Session in Edinburgh.
The US property tycoon opposes the 11-turbine European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre, claiming it will spoil the view from his nearby golf course.
His case, argued by Gordon Steele QC, also calls into question whether or not the scheme’s backer, Vattenfall Wind Power, would be a suitable licence holder because it has suffered financial losses and pared back investment.
Addressing the way consent was granted, Mr Steele said: “It is obvious that what is to be favoured is one that puts the horse before the cart in the right order. Licences should be granted first.”
The Trump Organisation’s plans have been prejudiced by the process, Mr Steele added.
Mr Trump’s legal action is against the Scottish Government’s approval of the windfarm, granted on March 26.
A petition lodged by Trump International Golf Links and the Trump Organisation earlier this year asks the court to declare the decision was unlawful. It also challenges the decision not to hold a public inquiry into the project in Aberdeen Bay.
The hearing, known as a petition for judicial review, is expected to last four days.
Mr Trump said he will pull the plug on his own plans to finish his proposed luxury resort if the windfarm goes ahead.
Senior members of Mr Trump’s executive team, including his son, Donald Trump Jr, and George Sorial, were in court on Tuesday.
The Scottish Government is expected to make its case later this week.