If you go down to the woods today, you're in for a big surprise. At least, that's what a group of 120 environmentalists in Winchmore Hill are hoping, as plans for the long-awaited Woodcroft Wildspace gather pace.

A small plot of land in the centre of Winchmore Hill has captured the imagination of dozens of residents since it was rescued from potential housing development with a plan to convert it into a wildspace'.

The brainchild of ward councillor Martin Prescott, plans have been approved to turn the five-and-three-quarter-acre site into an environmental haven and educational facility with work set to start within days.

Friends of Woodcroft member Bob Ladell said the housing and extra traffic would have been a nightmare for the whole area.

"It wouldn't have been Winchmore Hill any more and that was my motivation for getting involved with the wildspace project."

The first stage is to develop the most naturally wild' acre of ground, at the far end of the site adjacent to Downes Court, by adding marshland and a small pond, beehives, a sundial, compost heap and new trees, which will be interlinked by wood chipped footpaths work which is hoped to be completed by mid-October.

Mr Ladell said: "We want to provide a representative vision of what we want to do with the whole site. The objective is that we can illustrate to the Friends group, residents and councillors the sort of facility we will provide."

Plans have had to be scaled down from the initial £2million vision for the whole site, after difficulties in obtaining the necessary cash from grants bodies and fundraising activities.

The Friends now hope to create their vision of a self-sustaining environmental preserve acting as a place to teach children about nature and a pleasant wildspace' for residents of the area to enjoy piece by piece.

The most expensive part of the proposed jigsaw will be a £900,000 grass-topped green' building, which will blend into its setting and provide an education centre for schools and visitors from the community.

Mr Ladell believes that such a facility could also be more resistant to vandalism.

He said: "This kind of building provides something secure on three sides out of four and in that sense is vandal-proof.

"Neighbours have expressed concern about security on site and that is key. We don't want our efforts to go to waste because of vandalism."

The Friends of Woodcroft will begin work as soon as they have received a licence from Enfield Council, which owns the land.

A council spokesman said a temporary licence will be granted imminently' with a full licence following successful completion of the first phase.

To find out more about the project and ways in which you could become involved, visit the Friends' website at www.woodcroft.org.uk