Oxford University has won a High Court injunction to stop animal rights groups from harassing staff working on its new animal research centre.

The order names ten individuals and groups who are not permitted to go within 50 yards of the Biomedical Research Building in South Parks Road and University buildings used by contractors, sub-contractors and suppliers.

The University sought the injunction after halting construction on the new centre in July because some animal rights campaigners were harassing and intimidating contractors going on to the site.

As well as lawful demonstrations there were also acts of trespass, serious acts of criminal damage against contractors and sub-contractors and threats both explicit and veiled, the High Court heard.

The order creates an exclusion zone of 100 yards around the homes of "protected people" associated with the laboratory, and forbids generally communicating with, and photographing them.

It also allows a maximum of 50 protestors to protest every Thursday between 1 and 4 pm, at a designated spot near the facility.

The Vice-Chancellor, Dr John Hood, said in a statement the university was not seeking to stifle free speech by obtaining the injunction.

"Indeed, we are satisfied that this Order strikes a fair balance between the legitimate right to protest and the right of individuals to conduct their lawful business without fear of intimidation or violence," he said.

But Robert Cogswell, a spokesman for Speak, an animal rights group named in the injunction, told Times Online the order "criminalizes the animal rights movement" and stops legitimate protest. He also said while he recognised that some groups were engaged in illegal activities, his own group ran legal protests that had been praised by police.

"The order encompasses the term protestor so any one who is an animal rights supporter could be with served with an injunction," he said. "I am baffled by what the true motives of Oxford University are as at the end of the day this order is not going to do anything to curtail illegal activity."

The other individuals and groups covered by the injunction are John Curtin, SPEAC, SHAC, Oxford Animal Rights Group, People Against Cruelty to Animals – West Midlands, West Midlands Animal Action and Animal Liberation Front. Proceedings were halted against Mr Cogswell and his colleague Mel Broughton after they offered not to harass "protected persons".

Oxford University says 98 per cent of the animals in the new £18 million laboratory will be rodents, with some amphibia, ferrets, fish and primates. They say the facility will involve a range of academic research, which could lead to breakthroughs in the understanding, treatment of and cures for a number of life-threatening or disabling diseases.

In his judgement, Mr Justice Grigson said while an individual had the right to express his views, another citizen had an equal right to listen.

"Those who believe that experimentation on live animals is both morally and scientifically justified also have the right of freedom of expression," he wrote. "Further, such people and those who, in the broadest sense, work for them have the right to respect for their private and family life, their homes and correspondence."

Explore UK News

• Crime News

• Education News

• Health News

• Science News

• Scotland News

Times Recommends

• Litvinenko murder suspect's peace offer
• Low rollers seize chance to scoop £5m on the nose
• I wish I were Chancellor now, says Ken Clarke