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Sheffield City Council withdraws tree protest injunction

BBC Sheffield tree protestors with John Cooper QC and Leader of the Green Party, Natalie BennettBBC
Sheffield tree protestors said they were "extremely pleased" at the withdrawal of the temporary injunction ahead of a full three day hearing

Sheffield City Council has agreed to suspend a temporary injunction preventing tree protestors taking direct action to stop felling.

Instead, a full three day civil trial will take place at Leeds High Court from 26 to 28 July.

The decision means no further action will be taken against eight named campaigners and "unnamed people" who stop trees being cut down.

Both parties said they were "very pleased" with the outcome.

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Sheffield Green Party Councillor Alison Teal and Rob Cole at the Save Our Trees demonstration outside Sheffield Town Hall. in FebruarySheffield Green Party
Councillor Alison Teal (left) is one of eight protestors served with a notice of the injunction against protestors taking direct action

Nether Edge Green Party councillor, Alison Teal, was one of those served with a legal notice in June.

Outside court barrister John Cooper QC for the tree group said: "My clients came here to stop the interim injunctions.

"The important thing for them was to have a full hearing so the important issues for a lot of people who live in Sheffield are articulated, argued, developed and challenged.

"That's what we've got, so we're pleased."

Fourteen protestors were arrested between November and March for preventing tree fellings.

The Crown Prosecution Service dropped charges in March because of insufficient evidence and protestors have continued to prevent fellings by standing under trees.

PA Members of the public look on as contractors cut down a tree in Rustlings RoadPA
Sheffield City Council contractors Amey began felling trees in November

In June, the council applied to the civil court for an injunction to stop the direct action.

Both parties agreed to return to court for a three-day hearing when a judge will hear each case and decide once and for all.

If the council is successful, the eight protestors plus "unnamed people", will be banned from taking direct action or encouraging others to do the same.

If the tree protestors are successful, tree felling will be halted.

The tree protestors said they were "extremely pleased" by the withdrawal of the temporary injunction.

Sheffield city council Letter from Sheffield City Council to Alison TealSheffield city council
In June, Sheffield City Council sent notice of an intended injunction to restrain unlawful conduct concerning tree protests

The group said waiting longer for a full hearing would mean many trees would be felled before they had a chance to put their case.

Paul Billington of Sheffield City Council said it was a "very good result".

"We're really pleased with the outcome today because we get a full trial much earlier than we thought, and we're confident about the outcome.

"We'll continue to do our best with what we believe to be a lawful tree replacement programme.

"No doubt the protestors will try to stop us, but the court will make a decision next week."