Campaigners against the sell off of Hornsey Town Hall have raised £2,000 for a judicial review of Haringey Council’s decision to allow it to be turned into 146 flats and a hotel.

They launched a crowdfunding bid to pay for initial legal advice on the chances of winning a judicial review of the council’s decision to approve the £3.5million scheme in December.

In 2016, Haringey planning chiefs agreed to sell off the Grade II*-listed town hall building and car park in Crouch End to the Far East Consortium (FEC) on a 125-year lease.

The development is set to increase to seven storeys.

The flats would help pay for the restoration of the town hall.

However, protesters have criticised the lack of affordable and social housing.

As part of the plan, the east wing of the town hall will be converted into a hotel. Campaigners say this will lead to the loss of more than 77 small businesses on the site.

The £25m profit forecast by financial analysts has also come under fire.

There is also concern about the future of the square at the front of the town hall.

David Winskill who is one of the people behind the crowdfunding bid was delighted it had reached its target so quickly.

“I’m amazed that in 33 hours we have got our target. This is a result that shows that so many people fear about the future of Hornsey Town Hall.

“This isn’t about the Far East Consortium, as they have followed the rules, but the rules are so lax.”

He said the campaign has halted fundraising while they seek legal advice.

“We are now at a position in the in the fundraising, where we can pause it. We have enough money to talk to barristers to find out if we have a strong enough case to write to a judge and get a judicial review.”

Haringey Council and the Far East Consortium declined to comment.