Campaigners in Brent fighting plans to build 2,000 homes on the border of a nature reserve have written a letter expressing their concerns to the Mayor of London.

Brent & Kilburn Times: Cllr Alison Hopkins is the Welsh Harp Joint Consultative Committee chairCllr Alison Hopkins is the Welsh Harp Joint Consultative Committee chair (Image: Archant)

Residents and politicians in the borough are battling to stop the development on the Welsh Harp reservoir which was voted through by Barnet Council last week.

The controversial plans, which includes a 29-stroey tower block, have been referred to Boris Johnson who will be given the final say on whether it can go ahead.

In the letter written by Cllr Alison Hopkins, chair of the Welsh Harp Joint Consultative Committee, she outlines three grounds to object the plans claiming the development will ruin the unique environment for both recreation and wildlife conservation.

The grounds used are; The area being one of only 36 of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in London, the risk to flora and fauna (plant and animal life) and inadequate assessments and safeguards.

Cllr Hopkins ends the letter saying: “We urge you to direct the Local Planning Authority to refuse the application or failing that to act as the Local Planning Authority yourself so that the application can be considered fully in the light of all the appropriate development plan policies.”