FURIOUS campaigners have vowed to fight on against a 231-home development on the border of Barnet and Enfield, after planning chiefs approved the project on Monday night.

Housing association L&Q’s application to build on the former Middlesex University campus in Cat Hill was approved by eight votes to five at a three-hour planning meeting at Ashmole Academy in Cecil Road, Southgate.

The application will now be put before Mayor of London Boris Johnson, who could still raise an objection to the development.

Chairwoman of the Campaign for Cat Hill Kim Coleman called on residents to write to Mr Johnson to urge him to block the project.”

This is L&Q’s second application to build on the site after the first bid was rejected following a hard fought campaign by local residents.

The revised plans, which will see several five-storey blocks and 59 terrace houses built on the site, already had the backing of planning officers, who had recommended it for approval on Monday night.

Opponents have raised concerns over the size, scale and density of the development, as well as the impact on roads, trees and other wildlife.

The new application saw the number of homes reduced by 20, the height of the tallest tower blocks reduced from five storeys to four, and the building materials changed to red brick and slate.

L&Q also said it had conducted new ecological surveys, and spared one veteran oak tree from felling.

However opponents argued that their objections had not been addressed, with many speaking out at the meeting.

Ms Coleman told the committee: “You were elected to serve the best interests of all the people in the borough. We have given you valid and legitimate reasons to refuse this application and please do the right thing and refuse it.”

L&Q’s land and projects director Andy Rowland, said: “We are very pleased that the planning committee has approved our plans for Cat Hill. We will build well-designed homes that match the character of the local area. As long-term stewards of the Cat Hill ponds, we will manage the woodland and boost species diversity.

Enfield Today