The scenes in Highgate on Tuesday as the defence of threatened trees continued [All photos: Sabrina Merolla]

PROTESTERS trying to protect trees at the centre of a controversial development in Highgate were dragged away by security as three were cut down on Tuesday.

Members of the Haringey Tree Protectors were in Townsend Yard to protect one copper beech and two sycamore trees that are part of five under threat from a plan to build seven homes and yards just behind Highgate High Street.

Last week the New Journal reported that one protester, Marcus, had been up in a tree sleeping among squirrels to protect them.

However, despite the group’s efforts, they were chainsawed down early on Tuesday afternoon.

Jane Hill, who owns a Grade II-listed cottage next to the trees, and has a garden wall immediately abutting the remaining two lime trees under threat, said: “It was horrendous. I actually went and told the workers, police and security how much it was hurting me, all of this.”

Ms Hill and other protesters then stood on her garden wall, next to the lime trees that are set to be felled, to protect them. It worked, as they were still standing as the New Journal went to press.

“There is a genuine fear of what they will do next. ­­­­­They still don’t have listed building permission, or a party wall agreement, which means they can’t take down the limes, but they keep telling us they will,” said Ms Hill.