Gravesham Borough Council has won its latest court battle in a bid to stop protected trees from being chopped down.

The authority had been granted an interim injunction last Friday (May 1) prohibiting any unauthorised felling of trees at Fowlers Stone Wood, Vigo, near Gravesend.

Late last night (Thursday) the High Court granted the council an extension of the ban until a final hearing scheduled for July.

Kevin Burbidge, the council's director of planning and development, said: “The fact the High Court has continued to find in the council’s favour in this matter sends a strong message to those named in the injunction.

“Failure to comply with the terms of the injunction preventing any further work on site could result in additional legal proceedings that could see those responsible imprisoned, fined, or having their assets seized.

“We will continue to monitor the site for activity and will continue to use the legal options available to us should it be necessary.”

The council announced it was taking legal action last month after officers discovered workmen allegedly flouting a notice preventing development of woodland off Harvel Lane in Vigo Village.

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