'No case' for holding Aberdeenshire wind farm public inquiry

A photomontage depicts what the turbines could look like

The Scottish government's decision not to hold a public inquiry into plans for 11 offshore wind turbines near Donald Trump's golf resort was "entirely reasonable", a court has heard.

The US tycoon wants the decision to approve the project overturned.

James Mure QC, for the Scottish government, told the Court of Session an inquiry would have had no benefit.

Lawyers for Mr Trump are challenging the legality of the approval for the scheme.

The businessman claims the £230m European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC) would spoil the view from his golf course at Menie in Aberdeenshire.

'No case'

The aim is to generate enough power for tens of thousands of homes.

Mr Mure said objections to the scheme were properly considered throughout the lengthy planning process.

He said: "It was entirely reasonable for the Scottish ministers to take the view that a public inquiry would not assist the ministers on the question of balancing and weighing up the policy interests which, at the end of the day, are at stake in Aberdeenshire.

"In my submission, really no case is made."

The case is expected to continue until Friday, with a decision at a later date.