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The felling of a number of ancient trees has been suspended until the planned removal can be explained to protesters.
The felling of more than 50 lime trees to make way for a dual carriageway as part of the Stanton Cross development, in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, has been approved.
A community engagement event was announced after a meeting between North Northamptonshire Council, developers Stanton Cross and Conservative MP, for Wellingborough, Peter Bone.
Around 20 trees on London Road, known as The Walks, have already been felled.
Protesters gathered as trees were being cut down and four people were arrested, Northamptonshire Police confirmed.
Marion Turner-Hawes, a councilor and part of the Wellingborough Eco Group, who opposes the cull, said she was “delighted” that it had the “temporary stopover we need”.
He said it was a “pause for clarification” and they felt “heard”.
“It’s really important that we have a chance to be heard to offer some really good solutions to help develop our services and to add to the work we do.
“We understand why some trees need to be cut down, but we are not prepared for our heritage to be destroyed without understanding why.”
Jason Smithers, the Conservative leader of the council, said: “I think this is a positive outcome for The Walks and it’s a positive outcome for the activists who have been absolutely brilliant through it all.”
He said that until the meeting was held, no more trees would be cut down and some trees could be saved.
A Stanton Cross spokeswoman said it was a “very constructive meeting”.
“We have discussed how to minimize the tree removal needed to deliver vital infrastructure improvement work and have proposed that a community engagement event be held this month to go over the plans in more detail with local residents.”
Activists opposed to the teardown have said the tree-lined avenue could date back to the 1600s.
The Woodland Trust said a lime tree could be considered ancient at around 300 years old.
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