PLEASE DONATE TOWARDS THE COST OF OUR LEGAL CHALLENGE
Last week, an application for an injunction against us was granted to Hackney Council and Berkeley Homes in the High Court. People from the local community who are maintaining a presence at the Happy Man Tree day and night have been threatened with heavy penalties.
Demolition of the pub next to the Happy Man Tree has started and the legal notice for us to leave the tree and stop protecting it could be served any day now.
However, we are now pursuing our own legal action.
We have instructed our solicitors to challenge Hackney Council on two grounds:
Parts of the planning decision which includes the destruction of the Happy Man Tree have been identified as unlawful. A similar legal challenge was recently won by Holborn Studios and acts as a strong precedent.
Demolition of The Happy Man pub next to the tree has already started and this is likely to damage the tree. However, full planning permission has not yet been granted – only a resolution to grant planning permission – so this work is proceeding unlawfully.
Our only way forward is to challenge the unlawful actions of Hackney Council and seek a Judicial Review.
The cost of the initial phase of legal action could be upwards of £10,000. Please help us get to our first target of £6,000.
We have already incurred costs for legal advice to protect local people who were singled out in the injunction proceedings so we are asking supporters of the Happy Man Tree to contribute towards the costs of this new challenge.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE EVERY DONATION.
PLEASE ALSO SHARE OUR FUNDRAISER.
With your support we can save the Happy Man Tree and stand up for the genuine involvement of local people in the development of their communities.
Thank you!!