Sheffield union leaders withdraw support for tree-felling project

Reversal in position comes after protests against council's plans to cut down up to 17,500 trees

Sheffield council has lost another ally in its plans to cut down up to 17,500 trees after union leaders in the city withdrew their support and urged councillors to rethink the project.

The Sheffield Trades Union Council (TUC) has unanimously passed a motion calling on the Sheffield Labour group to pursue "an immediate, mediated settlement to the felling of Sheffield street trees". The deployment of dozens of police officers and security guards at tree-felling operations has caused "appalling negative publicity nationally for the city", it added.