PARENTS, children and school governors were due to take to the streets yesterday to oppose the controversial redevelopment of a Crouch End petrol station.

Interested parties at Rokesly Junior School are alarmed over plans to turn the Texaco garage on the corner of Tottenham Lane and Elmfield Avenue into a five-storey block of 55 flats, complete with underground car park, petrol station and mini-market.

The group fears the imposing development, which would be visible from the school playground, would compromise pupil privacy and would increase traffic, fumes and accidents in the area.

Parent Ruth Selig said: "Parents and children are very aware of the issue. They are absolutely against sharing their playground with a large building.

"The building would overshadow the school grounds. Residents would also be able to look down on the school playground, which would invade the children's privacy.

"We are also concerned about the fumes that would be generated from the petrol staion. It is already bad enough, but if plans go ahead the petrol station would be enclosed and it would be like a wind tunnel."

Residents and parents submitted a 400-signature petition to Texaco in August but say they have received little recognition.

Ms Selig added: "I think Texaco is being very greedy. It is not considering the local community. It is very short-sighted in terms of what it is doing to the environment."

Resident Alison Spottiswoode, co-ordinator of the Campaign Against Texaco Redevelopment In Crouch End (CATRICE) was also set to be yesterday's protest.

She said: "From a residents' point of view this development would not be in-keeping with the area. It would be much higher than any of the other buildings, even the YMCA in Tottenham Lane.

"We have fantastic views over the valley but the proposed building would ruin that."

A council spokeswoman said the council had received comments from local schools including the governors, local residents and residents' associations.

She said: "We have identified that one of the issues will be the impact on the school and this will be taken into consideration."