Despite furious objections, Middlesex University's ambitious plans for a £12million Learning Resource Centre in Greyhound Hill, Hendon, are to go ahead.

More than 50 residents from the surrounding area packed Barnet Council's Hendon planning sub-committee on Wednesday last week (Feb13) to hear the university's plans narrowly gain approval.

Work is due to start in June this year, with the new centre expected to be open by autumn 2004. The part four, part five-storey building will provide state-of-the-art library, IT, language and media facilities, and its opening will service an extra 500 students at Hendon, taking the total student population up to 5,500.

Robin Aggersbury, of Greyhound Hill, representing Church End Residents' Association, said the centre would be a "huge monolith", causing "considerable late-night disturbance".

"It is insulting to residents, It is not designed for the benefit of the community. It is a complete shambles, and completely out of character with the area," he said.

Professor Dennis Hardy, Middlesex University's pro-vice chancellor, welcomed the planning decision, saying the centre will bring benefits to both students and the wider community.

"The improvement of the Hendon campus is evidence of the University's commitment to maintaining a significant presence in the London Borough of Barnet," he said. "This facility will offer an outstanding learning environment for our students."