If Budapest fails to consult the cultural heritage body before approving the project, the resolution could be considered legally invalid, Karácsony, co-leader of the opposition Dialogue for Hungary party, said.

Municipal leaders have so far ignored both professional and civil protests over the project and are now set to pass a resolution that will make way for the “destruction” of the City Park, he said.

Earlier on Wednesday, civil activist group Ligetvédők said municipal leaders plan to chop down more than 2,000 trees in the near future. Gergely Csák, one of the activists, said the tree-felling would lead to an environmental disaster.

Silent protests were held at the city assembly against plans to cut down 600-800 trees in the City Park to make way for the statebacked museum quarter.

Another mass tree-felling is planned at the banks of the River Danube in northern Buda affecting 1,100 trees while in the Orczy Park in Pest plans are to fell 300.

Republished with permission of Hungary Matters, MTI’s daily newsletter.