Protesters have lost their battle against the redevelopment of former Middlesex University land.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson has approved the L&Q housing association’s proposed redevelopment of the Cat Hill Middlesex University Campus in Cockfosters, Enfield, which has been empty since September 2011.

Enfield Borough Council approved the proposals in March 2013 after L&Q bought the site two years earlier, but campaigners have contested the permission since.

Andy Rowland, L&Q’s land and projects director, said: “We are delighted that the Mayor of London has allowed our proposals for the Cat Hill site. We now look forward to beginning work as soon as we can, subject to meeting the remaining conditions in the planning process.

“We plan to build well-designed homes that match the character of the local area. As long-term stewards of the Cat Hill ponds, we would implement a 25-year woodland management plan to conserve valuable mature and veteran oak trees across the site and encourage native woodland species, further improving the diversity and value of the woodland habitat for wildlife.”