A US federal judge on Monday ordered a halt to further tree-cutting at a public golf course in the heart of Washington, DC, after hundreds of trees were already felled as part of President Donald Trump’s plan to remodel the facility.

Trump, an avid golfer, has pushed for the East Potomac Golf Links — a public course known for its affordable rates to be upgraded into a venue capable of hosting major championship-level events.

Early demolition work had continued despite a lawsuit filed by an environmental group and opposition from local golfers.

District Judge, Ana Reyes issued a 70-page order restraining the defendants from removing or damaging any more trees on the course. She also required them to give 10 business days’ written notice before making any irreversible changes to features of East Potomac Park while the case is ongoing.

Reyes noted that the government had cut down hundreds of healthy, non-hazardous trees without proper notice, even though it knew of the planned removal at least a week earlier. More than 500 trees had already been felled.

Trump insisted on Monday that construction would still begin on November 15 as scheduled and vowed to appeal the decision.

He described the project as “very important and beautiful” and argued that the judge had no right to hold it up.