Conservationists fear a battle has been lost in the fight to protect a nature reserve from becoming a thoroughfare for passing vehicles.

Friends of Parkland Walk aimed to block an application for building work to convert an old railway cottage into a seven bedroom house with a basement.

But on Friday, Haringey Council officers granted permission for a construction plan which would see vehicles crossing the trail.

This brings investment banker Sebastian Eiseler one step closer to realising his dream family home at Francis Place, off Holmesdale Road, which is surrounded by the Parkland Walk.

He won planning permission last year for the conversion, but withdrew initial proposals which would have seen 26-tonne heavy good vehicles on the walk.

The revised plans aim to minimise noise, dust and vibration.

Materials will be delivered at the entrance of the Parkland Walk, loaded onto a trailer and pulled into the site.

A Friends of Parkland Walk petition to stop the construction plans reached 2,300 signatures.

Sue Heap commented: “The Parkland Walk is a public treasure used by thousands of people every day to walk, cycle, play, look at trees and it is also the habitat of lots of wildlife.

“Construction work which contravenes all the covenants attached to that property must not be allowed.”

But the long fight to protect the trail is not over yet.

Historic covenants on the cottage ban vehicles from accessing the building, which is surrounded by protected green space.

A Haringey Council spokesman said: “The ban on vehicles using Parkland Walk remains in place, and we have not received an application to lift this ban – which is separate to the planning process.”

Mr Eiseler’s agent, architect Alexia Kokorelia said: “The construction management plan has been approved by the council as it minimises the impact of the development on the environment as well as public safety.

“The use of vehicles during construction will be very limited in terms of duration of use and the distance that will be travelled.

“Part of Parkland Walk will also be made wheelchair accessible as a result of this project which will be a significant public benefit.”