Tree felling postponed again after protests

The felling of trees in Falmouth has been postponed "on the grounds of public safety", Cornwall Council has said.

On Wednesday morning, around 50 people gathered on Trelawney Road as part of a protest by the group Stop the Chop, with some obstructing the operation by climbing the three lime trees.

After attending the scene, Devon and Cornwall Police said the felling ought not take place "due to the nature of the protest".

On Wednesday afternoon, Cornwall Council said: "After taking advice from Devon and Cornwall Police, the removal of three trees on Trelawney Road in Falmouth has been postponed on the grounds of public safety."

The council previously said the trees were due to be removed because the roots were causing damage to the pavement and road as well as a nearby property.

It said ecologists had found "no evidence" of nesting birds or bats in the trees, saying "there is no legal requirement for a formal ecology report".

The trees were first expected to be cut down on 17 March but the operation was delayed following an intervention from police.

The felling had been rearranged for Wednesday morning when several protestors gathered at the site.

Deb Newman, from campaign group Stop the Chop, accused Cornwall Council of "acting under their own laws" after it announced the plans earlier in the week.

Ms Newman told BBC Radio Cornwall: "I think what we are seeing here is a council acting under their own laws and are refusing to be accountable to the people who put them there.

"We had no idea people would climb the trees and we were concerned, but it's a measure of how how much people care about them."

Following the postponement to the operation, Devon and Cornwall Police said: "Officers were deployed to facilitate a planned protest.

"Officers engaged with organisers to ensure everyone in attendance was kept safe, whilst facilitating the public's right to peaceful protest.

"Police advised that due to the nature of the protest, the felling should not take place today."

No arrests were made.

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