Middlesex University has finally unveiled the multi-million pound plans to revamp its flagship campus at Trent Park.

The uni came in for heavy criticism from the Mayor of London and hundreds of residents over its original proposals submitted in 2003.

Residents feared the planned increase in student numbers would threaten the infrastructure of the area's services and roads and place the Green Belt in jeopardy.

However, the masterplan has been scaled down and university chiefs are hopeful that it will be given the go-ahead by council planners later this year.

Nearly 20,000 people who live in the surrounding areas of Oakwood, Cockfosters, Highlands, Hadley Wood, Southgate and East Barnet, have been sent detailed consultation documents outlining the plans.

The university says it has listened to campaigners and its plans reflect that. The replacement buildings will not take up any more space than those already earmarked for demolition on the campus. And sudent numbers will increase by 700 instead of the original 3,000. It has also been announced the Cat Hill campus will be retained.

Uni chiefs have promised to keep landmarks such as the mansion, stable block and orangery, but will demolish and relocate a number of the post-war buildings including Gubbay, Sassoon, Bevan and Jebb. A state-of-the-art library and learning resource centre will be built on the current student union site, while the stable block will become a glass-roofed social space'.

Middlsex University's Vice Chancellor Professor Michael Driscoll said: "The campus cannot remain as it is. The buildings are ugly and outdated and our historic heart needs better protection.

"With the community's help, we have now put together an outstanding new masterplan. We intend to remain on exactly the same amount of Green Belt land as at present, demolish the ugly buildings that damage the park and replace them sensitively in surroundings restored to their former glory."

The plans have come in for some early criticism from Barry Fineberg, an architect and planning consultant from Finchley, who believes the university should have tried to develop its urban campuses. He said: "This is a lost opportunity for rebuilding and regenerating town centres complimenting and supporting their economies.

"Any institution of this size should be concentrated in a central area it sticks out like a sore thumb at Trent Park."

He also believes the higher student population could lead to an increase in traffic in the Oakwood and Cockfosters area a claim which is refuted by the university, which says it will be increasing the frequency of its student bus service as part of the improvements.

The detailed plans will be on public display at the mansion house in Trent Park from Tuesday and there will also be public exhibitions at the Spires Shopping Centre in Barnet High Street on September 3, opposite the park entrance in Bramley Road on September 5 and on the corner of Cockfosters Road and Westpole Avenue on September 6. They can also be seen on the university website at www.mdx.ac.uk/tpconsult Enfield Council is due to begin its own consultation exercise later in September and will convene a planning panel in November. A decision on the plans will be made later that month. If they are given the green light, the university hopes to begin demolition and construction work by summer 2006.