PROGRESS with work on a derelict building site could be in jeopardy as local activists threaten to raise objections.

A council order to divert a public footpath on the site, in Wyemead Crescent, Chingford, prompted online cycling campaigner Freewheeler to call on people to send their protests to the council.

An entry in Freewheeler's weblog reads: “If you live in the London Borough of Waltham Forest, please register an objection to ‘The Waltham Forest (Wyemead Crescent) (Public Path Diversion) Order 2009’.

“A simple statement to the effect that the proposed diversion is unacceptable because it replaces a direct and open public footpath with a longer and more unattractive route is sufficient.”

The site, a former playground, has been derelict for as much 30 years, residents say, and has become a dangerous “eyesore” as well as attracting anti-social behaviour.

It was purchased by housing association Christian Action Housing and planning permission was granted for ten new homes to be built there in 2006.

The threat of removing the footpath caused protests and work stopped, but following the council order, developers and residents believed it would soon start again.

Tony Tribe, 71, who lives near the site, said: “We can't do anything about the objections, can we?

“Why would someone put in an objection? It only concerns people on Wyemead Crescent. How sad.”

His wife, Ann, 68, a school secretary, started a petition for the council to take action after a child was injured and said the site had been “left to rot.”

The weblog continues: “The problem with the proposed diversion is that it changes a direct public footpath across open land into a longer, less direct and much more unattractive route.

“Personal security is also plainly an issue, as anyone using the path will evidently in future be hidden from view for parts of the route.”

Those with objections have until July 7 to send them to the council. If no objections are received before this date, work will be able to go ahead with diverting the path.