I wanted to let supporters of this petition know that earlier today an application was made to the court for Judicial Review, together with a request for urgent interim relief, seeking a temporary injunction to pause the proposed felling of the 170-year-old oak tree known as Old King George and a nearby mature horse chestnut.

This step has been taken to prevent irreversible harm while concerns regarding outstanding legal and transparency issues are considered by the court. This is not about determining the final outcome for the trees at this stage, but about ensuring due process is followed before any irreversible decision is acted upon.

We did not wish to be in this position and regret that a constructive resolution could not be achieved without involving the courts. Recent communications left us with no realistic alternative to pursue the transparency and proper process we have been seeking for many months.

Now that the matter is before the court, we will not be commenting further on the substance of the situation for the time being. We will, of course, share an update once there is a decision or any further important news.

Thank you, as ever, for the extraordinary levels of support, care and kindness shown to the trees and to one another. We are deeply grateful to all those who have pledged and contributed to our ongoing legal costs.

Wishing everyone a restful Christmas time.