Tesla's (TSLA  ) plans to expand to Europe have hit a roadblock after German courts ordered the temporary cessation of preparations for the company's Grünheide Gigafactory due to a pending complaint by environmental activists.

The preparations for Tesla's first European factory were put on hold by a German court to give the court time to consider a complaint against Tesla by the German environmentalist group Grüne Liga. The preparations largely involve clearing the site of trees and other obstacles, as well as relocating wildlife; actual construction on the factory has not been approved yet by the German government. Previously, Tesla had been met with protest by residents who were concerned by the deforestation, the presence of an endangered species of bat that Tesla would have to relocate, and concerns over groundwater contamination.

Tesla has not commented on the move by German courts. In the past, however, Tesla had stated its intent to work with residents and open dialogue through a public affairs office built-in Grünheide. As previously reported, Tesla was protested by residents. Protestors were present as workers attempted to clear the potential site of the Gigafactory of World War II-era munitions.

The decision by the courts has been met with concern by the German Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Peter Altmaier. Altmaier voiced concern over delays to the project, citing its importance to the German economy and the overall benefit electric vehicles, such as those made by Tesla, to climate protection efforts. Altmaier was joined by several German business associations, who were concerned about the potential economic effects of the delays. Chief among those concerns was the possibility that the move by courts could dissuade foreign investment. Delays due to the immense amount of red tape foreign companies needed to clear, as well as delays from court injunctions and issues regarding planning, were named as potential factors that could put foreign companies off investing in Germany in the future.