Plymouth trees: Council to review felling after Richard Bingley quits

At a meeting on Monday the Lord Mayor announced Plymouth City Council leader Richard Bingley had resigned

Plymouth City Council has unanimously agreed to conduct an independent review of decision-making that led to the night-time felling of trees.

It came after former council leader Richard Bingley resigned ahead of a vote of no confidence.

At a meeting on Monday, the Lord Mayor announced Mr Bingley had tendered his resignation as leader.

Mr Bingley's deputy Mark Shyer has become interim leader until a new permanent leader can be appointed.

The Conservative councillor had been due to face the no-confidence vote after a row over the Armada Way scheme.

A total of 110 trees were felled as part of the £12.7m regeneration project before an injunction halted the work, leaving just 16 trees standing.

On Friday, a High Court Judge in London kept the court order in place, amid calls for an independent inquiry into the incident from the public, protesters and political parties.

Mr Bingley had signed an executive order to fell the trees.

Councillors unanimously agreed to conduct an independent review of the scheme with 50 votes in favour.