Campaigners taste success as barriers securing site by Newark Library where age-old trees were to be felled are removed

Success in saving age-old trees that were to be felled to make way for a carpark extension became a reality today (Friday) as barricades that were erected to allow the work tot take place and keep protesters out were removed.

The trees by Newark Library were saved at the eleventh hour after the landowner showed his green credentials by offering Newark and Sherwood District Council a face-saving deal that was voted through at a meeting on Wednesday night.

Campaigners had therefore won a hard-fought battle to save the trees and secure the site as open space.

The deal, which means the owner takes a substantial financial hit and the council takes less of one in abandoning its plans which would have seen the space tarmacked to become an extension to the London Road carpark.

Campaigners defied police and council orders to vacate the land and spent a night under the trees in a community action that led to the offer being made.