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Objectors to a new visitor centre in Caledonian Park are considering taking legal action against the Town Hall after plans were approved last week.

Clocktower Residents Group vice-chairman Mike Power said they were keeping all options open after being left “disappointed, frustrated and angry” by the planning committee’s decision.

Almost 900 people objected to the proposal, saying it would attract more vandalism, drug dealing and prostitution to the park, but a planning committee unanimously passed the decision. More than 350 people supported the scheme.

Campaigners claim the facilities would be better located at the south gate, close to the Market Road entrance.

A mystery visitor to the park made their feelings clear over the weekend by marking “Not here” in front of the historic clocktower.

Mr Power said he did not know who carried out the “direct action”, which was created by scraping away the gravel to form the shapes of letters and replacing them with black seedlings from a nearby walnut tree. It appeared on Sunday morning.

“Someone must’ve spent ages on it,” said Mr Power. “Given the strength of feeling about this in the community, I am sure there will be more things like this happening.”

Mr Power said residents were considering a legal challenge against Islington Council’s decision as they feel the south gate option was not given enough consideration.

There are also 20 balconies on flats around Clocktower Crescent which are flying banners with the message: “Not at the north gate.”

Council officers claimed last week that Historic England ruled out the south gate option, but campaigners dispute that.

At the meeting, council officers pointed out that there will be around-the-clock CCTV on the buildings, and a staff presence during the day would deter trouble­makers. They also said the scheme has been through numerous consultations and changes have been made.

Caledonian ward councillor Paul Convery said there was “nothing intrinsic about the design that makes it more vulnerable to anti-social behaviour”.

The improvements are part of a plan to attract more people to the park and encourage greater appreciation of the historic tower, built in 1855.

A total of 874 objections to the scheme were received by the council, with 354 in support. It is part of a plan to secure £2million from the Heritage Lottery Fund to refurbish the Grade II-listed Clocktower and the park’s Victorian railings.