Protesters and police clash as Falmouth trees cut down

Clashes between protesters and police have occurred before three trees were felled.

Cornwall Council removed the mature lime trees from Trelawney Road in Falmouth due to the roots causing damage to the pavement, road and a nearby property.

Devon and Cornwall Police said about 40 people attended a planned protest at the site before the trees were felled.

Police said one protester, who had to be moved after allegedly trying to access a secured area, suffered a bump to her head after she “fell to the floor”. The force added: “A complaint has been made in relation to this which will be investigated in due course.”

Video taken at the scene showed police removing people from the area while other protesters shouted at the officers.

A police spokesperson said: “One protester was subject to a use of force from officers after allegedly trying to access a secured area despite warnings not to do so.

“During this incident, the protester fell to the floor and suffered a bump to the head.

“She was checked over at the scene by the ambulance service and did not require further treatment.”

No arrests were made during the protest, the spokesperson added.

Plans to remove the trees had been delayed due to protests.

Campaigners from Stop the Chop said the council had acted unlawfully by removing the tress as it had failed to hold a proper public consultation on the matter.

The authority previously said it was “legally required” to remove the trees and it would replace them with four new ones.

Deborah Newman from Stop the Chop, who said she was the protester who suffered the bump on her head, told the BBC she was “very disappointed” about what had happened to the trees.

“I can’t look at the moment, it will totally change the landscape,” she said.

David Saunby, independent councillor for Falmouth Trescobeas and Budock, said it was a sad day and he was concerned about how much the situation had cost taxpayers.

He added he admired Stop the Chop for all the work they had put in to try and stop the trees being felled.

“But at the end of the day, Cornwall Council had its way and it’s a very sad day for Falmouth,” Saunby said.

Stop the Chop group member Sarah MacDiarmid said: “This has been long-running, trying to find out what’s happening and who is responsible.

“I’m absolutely gutted.”

In response, the council said it was content the removal of the trees had been “lawful and necessary”.

It said signage had been in place for several weeks giving notice of the date and time of the scheduled work.

“We recognise that this has been an extremely sensitive issue and appreciate the strength of local feeling,” a council spokesperson said.

“Trees are only ever removed as a last resort.

“In this case, the trees were causing damage that constituted an actionable nuisance, leaving the council with no alternative but to act.”