Protestors occupying a pre-school that is threatened with demolition have pleaded for talks.

The Barnet Bohemians have been occupying Valley Pre-School in Rossiter Fields on the Dollis Valley Estate since Tuesday, after the lease on the building ran out.

The pre-school is making way for regeneration plans on the estate with a new nursery, run by Kidz Choice, due to open in September.

Activists have occupied the building as they feel they were not properly consulted.

Daniel Gardner, 34, a member of the activists group, said: “We just want to see some kind of dialogue with developers, the council and members of the community.

“The discussion has been poor and the consultation process inadequate.

“If this place goes there will be no education resources left on this estate, this place is loved by nearly everybody around here and is special to people.”

Barnet Borough Council says it is committed to helping parents on the estate find alternatives until the new nursery opens.

A spokesman said: “The lease for the Valley Pre Nursery ended on March 31 after 12 months’ notice. The owners of the nursery have been given access to the building for two weeks so they can remove their materials in an organised fashion.

“The protestors are eating into the time available to the Valley Pre-School. We have been clear that work on the building of new family homes of social rent needs to begin on two weeks’ time to keep the regeneration of the estate running to schedule.”

The committee of Valley Pre-School is opposed to the occupation.

A statement from the committee reads: “The committee of Valley Pre-School do not support the occupation of the terrapin building at Rossiter Fields by protesters. They do not represent Valley Pre-School.

“The committee fully recognises that the regeneration will bring improved housing for council tenants and that the site of the terrapin building is required as part of the redevelopment. Our use of the building was always temporary and we are working with the council to find an alternative site for Valley Pre-School.

“The occupation of the terrapin building does nothing to help Valley Pre-School find alternative premises and will only delay the provision of better homes to council tenants. The occupiers are there without the consent and support of the committee of Valley Pre-School and we would urge them to leave.”