THE new leader of Plymouth City Council has scrapped a controversial scheme which saw more than 100 city centre trees felled overnight.

Former leader Richard Bingley signed an executive order for the Armada Way trees to be cut down on 14 March.

The resulting fallout led to campaigning, an injunction - and Councillor Bingley's resignation.

READ MORE: Plymouth council leader quits after approving cutting down of trees

New leader Tudor Evans has now promised public engagement before further action.

In a statement, he set out his intention to "rescue, reinvigorate and renew" the city centre and "reunite a divided city".

Officers will now be asked to bring forward options for the city centre regeneration and ensure "further engagement takes place with key groups and businesses".

Mr Evans said: "I think we can all agree that the decision to fell the trees has been hugely damaging - not just to the council, but to the city and Plymouth's growing reputation as a place that cares passionately about getting greener.

Forestry Journal:

"There are many lessons we can learn from this sorry affair that has polarised opinion in Plymouth and about Plymouth.

"We need to move forward and make sure we get this right."

Labour gained control of Plymouth City Council from the Conservatives in last month's election, in what one councillor described as a "seismic shift" for the city.