More than 1,300 people have signed a petition calling for development work near a 17th century house to be halted over fire concerns.

Haringey Council gave planning permission in November 2020 for a row of seven homes in Townsend Yard, off High Street, Highgate, in a stretch of land in the Highgate Bowl.

Developer Sean Meadows has already begun work on the site, where campaigners say Shepherds Cottage, the last remaining 17th century building in the Highgate Bowl, is threatened by the development.

Started by Highgate Society chairman William Britain, the petition asks for "Haringey to force the developer of the housing scheme in Townsend Yard to stop work and redesign the scheme".

It adds: "The current plan will engulf the last remaining historic worker’s cottage in the area, cutting off emergency fire access and meaning the permanent loss of any view of this valuable heritage building."

The petition added: "We demand Haringey use its powers to force the builder to stop work until the fire access issue is sorted out and plans redrawn.

"Haringey has the powers, authority and responsibility to demand a development which keeps the people who live in the borough and their property safe."

Haringey Council previously said that it had no power to revoke planning permissions once approved.

As previously reported in the Ham&High, London Fire Brigade inspector Simon Dredge said the planned removal of access will increase the fire risk to Shepherd's Cottage.

He said once the planned buildings have been constructed, "the house will be surrounded by other buildings on all sides, making the application of water to a fire difficult..."

Jane Hill, who lives in the cottage, said: "The cottage is a tinderbox inside. There would be no way out if a fire broke out in the middle of the night, God forbid. It's an old house and it's really frightening."

READ MORE: Council unable to withdraw planning permission despite new fire brigade concerns

Mr Meadows has had more than a year to submit a revised scheme but has not done so.

A council spokesperson said: “At present, we do not have any grounds to stop this development." 

They added: "Despite having no formal role, we continue to press the applicant to remind them that the development needs to meet building regulations in relation to fire safety.”    

Sean Meadows have been contacted.

Click here to sign the petition Haringey MUST act now to protect historic listed cottage in Highgate