A birdwatcher who tried to halt the construction of a power station has failed to persuade a judge to back him.

Marco McGinty, whose home in Largs is five miles from the site of the proposed development at Hunterston in Ayrshire, had asked the Court of Session in Edinburgh to rule against the present plan. On Tuesday, his criticism of the public consultation procedures was rejected.

Judge Lord Brailsford also ruled that Mr McGinty's demand for a judicial review was doomed because he had waited too long before coming to court and because, in law, he did not have a strong enough reason to raise his action.

Mr McGinty says he uses the Hunterston area for recreation and the effects on the environment will be devastating if the coal-fired power station goes ahead.

Local residents, who are also resisting the plan, have set up Communities Opposed to New Coal at Hunterston (CONCH).The campaigners claim the 1600MW power station will have a serious impact on the community and that tonnes of ash being pumped into the air will be a threat to health.

Since 1971 the Hunterston site has been earmarked for heavy industrial development. The link between the 900 hectares and deep water, which would allow ships to deliver coal, is said to be unique.

The area's future is part of the National Planning Framework for Scotland - a policy document which has had a bearing on other plans such as the Commonwealth Games preparations and a new Forth Road Bridge.

The campaigners said Hunterston was only added to the planning framework document at a late stage, limiting their chances to protest.