A cabinet minister has become the latest to lend her backing to a campaign to preserve the history of a World War II landmark.

Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, is asking constituents to save Trent Country Park in Enfield and the manor house in its grounds by signing a petition, recently launched by Cllr Jason Charalambous.

Trent Park, which used to belong to the Sassoon family, was used by the War Office as an interrogation centre and prison camp for high-ranking German prisoners of war; it is widely believed that Hitler’s deputy, Rudolf Hess, was held there.

The house and surrounding area were recently bought by Berkeley Homes for housing, and the petition demands part of the house be turned into a museum to commemorate its history.

It has gathered 2,500 signatures, and Ms Villiers has contacted Enfield Council and lobbied Culture Minister Ed Vaizey to see if any assistance can be provided.

Ms Villiers said: “Although Trent Park is just outside my constituency, many of my constituents visit regularly and I believe this open space and its historic building should be protected.

“It is essential that the grounds remain open for public access and I would also like to see areas of the house used for a museum, and I will continue to work to ensure Trent Park is conserved for future generations.”

The mansion and surrounding buildings in Snakes Lane, Cockfosters, were sold by Middlesex University in August 2013 to Malaysia’s Allianze University College of Medical Sciences for £30.9 million.

However, plans to build a new university on the site were abandoned when the university went into liquidation.

Cllr Charalambous said: “If the building just gets turned into private houses so much history will be lost forever.

“It is a site of national historical significance, some historians are saying it played as important a role as Bletchley Park, and this is the last chance to save it.

“This is of considerable public interest, and the least the developers can do is give something back to the community.”

Much of the historical significance of Trent Park has only recently come to light, with the declassification of documents in 2004.

Berkeley Group spokesperson Catherine Senda said: “Berkeley Homes are committed to a path which will protect the long-term future of the site and, in particular, the Mansion House. 

"Since acquiring the site eight months ago, Berkeley have focused on consulting the local community, including historians and heritage specialists, to ensure that we have a full understanding of the intricacies of Trent Park.