DERBY City Council has been ordered to stop clearance work at a controversial cycle track building site – to allow the courts more time to consider the matter.
An interim injunction has been granted by a judge in London, after the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust campaigned against plans for the track and mountain biking area at Pride Park.
The trust drew up an injunction application because part of the track would be built on the Sanctuary nature reserve, which it said was a haven for birds.
Tim Birch, the trust's conservation manager, said the order meant the work would have to stop until Monday next week, when the courts would further consider the matter.
He said: "We're pleased that the judge felt this matter needed to be looked at seriously.
"And the order means there won't be any more damage to the site for the time being."
Following the decision, council chief executive Adam Wilkinson said: "Derby City Council acknowledges the decision of the courts to grant an injunction preventing the council from continuing to clear the site of the proposed closed circuit cycle track.
"The council will now respond to the court's decision and the action brought by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust.
"The council will make no further public comment with regard to these legal proceedings."
