Planning permission for a luxury golf and spa resort development for Northern Ireland’s North Antrim coast has been upheld by the High Court, following a challenge by the National Trust.

Northern Ireland environment minister Alex Attwood has welcomed the decision on the Bushmills Dunes Golf Resort and Spa, which he granted approval for in February 2012.

The £100m development will include a 120-room hotel with spa and conference facilities and an 18-hole golf course.

The National Trust and UNESCO both opposed the development, due to its proximity to the Giant’s Causeway and the Causeway Coast, but the High Court decided on 27 February the environment minister’s decision should be upheld.

Attwood said: “My decision to grant permission was finely balanced but I was strong in my opinion that it was the right decision on the planning merits.”

Tourism minister Arelene Foster said: “A five star hotel and accompanying links golf course will attract tourists from all over the world, particularly from North America, which is a primary target market for resorts of this type.”

The National Trust said that the decision sent the message no place in Northern Ireland was safe from development.

“There are also significant issues regarding the relationship between government in Northern Ireland, Great Britain and UNESCO that must be addressed to ensure the protection of our World Heritage Site for the long term," they said.