CAMPAIGNERS against a controversial housing development on a former university site will start a 67-hour protest today in a bid to stop 67 trees on the site being cut down.

Housing association L&Q have applied for permission to demolish buildings on the former Middlesex University site in Cat Hill, which includes the removal of ancient oak trees in the centre of the campus as part of the work.

The application is the first step in their bid to build 272 flats and houses on the land, which has caused huge anger among locals who say that wildlife should be protected and that the development will cause traffic problems.

Now members of the Campaign for Cat Hill will spend nearly three days straight on the roundabout next to the former campus, holding banners and placards in a bid to raise awareness of the plan and to convince Enfield Council to reject the proposals.

Campaign leader Kim Coleman said: “Why are they trying to demolish buildings when they haven’t even got planning permission for the flats yet?

“We don’t want these trees – which have been around since the time of Oliver Cromwell – to be cut down and we feel that the council isn’t listening to us.”

Earlier this month, Enfield Council organised a heated planning panel at Southgate College where 300 people listened to a presentations from the developers and questioned them on the scheme.

The meeting had to be moved to the college after a previous panel two weeks earlier had to be abandoned when more than 100 people were left outside a hall at De Bohun School in Green Road.

Simon Baxter, assistant director of planning at L&Q, said that the housing association had amended its plans after hearing concerns about wildlife and tree protection from campaigners.

He said: “We will be planting new trees on the site which means there will actually be more trees on the site when we are finished than there are now, and we have also proposed a 25-year tree management plan to ensure they are maintained correctly.

“Being able to amend our plans in response to consultation is a part of the planning process and we anticipate these amends will soon be available to view on the council’s website.”

Campaigners will start their ’67 Hours For 67 Trees’ protest at 4pm today, and have stocked up with candles so that their banners can be seen by passing drivers throughout the night.

The planning application for the demolition of the university buildings can be viewed on the council’s website by clicking here – any comments must be made by Monday.