A pensioner’s attempt to block preparations for American tycoon Donald Trump's billion pound golf resort in Aberdeenshire has been thrown out of court.

Molly Forbes, 85, asked a judge to call a halt to work while she challenges the way the local authority granted the development planning permission.

Aberdeenshire Council and Trump International Golf Links joined forces to counter her claims.

Mrs Forbes, who lives in a mobile home at Paradise, Mill of Menie, at Balmedie, insists that Aberdeenshire Council should have got an "environmental statement" before granting planning consents and also claims the local authority failed to tell her she could address the Scottish Ministers on the question.

Her son, Michael, 56, has consistently refused to sell his property to Mr Trump.

Mr Trump is planning to build a hotel and luxury housing as part of the golf resort complex on the Aberdeenshire coast at Balmedie.

Preparatory work involving the planting of marram grass on sand dunes would have been stopped if Judge Lady Smith had ruled in favour of Mrs Forbes.

But in a written ruling at the Court of Session in Edinburgh on Wednesday the judge said that Mrs Forbes had not been able to show good reason to call a halt. Her request for an interim interdict was refused.

Mrs Forbes said: "I am disappointed by the court's decision, and have asked my lawyers to advise me on the prospects of appealing the ruling.  

“It is important to note that this interim order does not stop me from proceeding with the action in relation to the other planning permissions granted, including one which would allow Mr Trump to develop Mill of Menie, where I stay, against my will.  

“Almost three quarters of Scots are with me in my wish to stay in my own home.  I wish to thank the hundreds of people who sent me Christmas cards and messages of support over the last few weeks."

Commenting on the ruling Mr Trump said in a statement: “I am honoured by the decision of the court.  We are now starting construction on what will soon be the greatest golf course anywhere in the world.”

Mrs Forbes has been left with an opportunity to continue her legal challenge through a judicial review of the planning decisions which gave the golf complex the go-ahead.

No date has yet been fixed for a further hearing.