Three companies accused of destroying a red squirrel drey have had the case against them dropped.
Rally firm M-Sport, Northern Developments Ltd of Burgh Road Industrial Estate, Carlisle and Arbor-Tec Limited of St John's Street, Keswick, were accused of intentionally or recklessly damaging or destroying the structure at the M-Sport's Dovenby Hall base.
The allegation arose from tree clearance work being done in March 2015 by Arbor-Tec, through project management Northern Developments Ltd, to make way for a test track.
The companies were due in court today but the Crown Prosecution Service dropped the case against them.
It said there was insufficient evidence.
William Brymer, 55, of Mount Pleasant, Houghton le Spring, Sunderland, a project manager with Northern Developments Ltd, and Andrew Michael James Graham, 32, of St John's Street, Keswick, a tree surgeon with Arbor-Tec, both still face the charge.
They appeared before District Judge Gerald Chalk in Workington on Friday and pleaded not guilty.
The case was adjourned to a date to be set.
The charges were brought under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here