ATHENS – An appeal by residents in the anarchist favored neighborhood of Exarchia to stop work on a Metro station has been turned down by Greece’s highest administrative court, the Council of State.

The case brought by 50 people argued the work under one of the most popular squares in the city, which lures tourists as well for its singular, Bohemian character, would cause irreparable damage to trees and greenery and the social scene.

The residents also said that approval for the work was given without proper public consultation for those living there and that it hadn’t received proper permits from the engineering and and licensing authority, said the state-run Athens Macedonia News Agency.

They also said there was no plan to replace trees and shrubs being uprooted and cut down and that there’s no scheme to protect listed buildings and the area around the National Archaeological Museum from possible damage.

The site has been the scene of angry and sometimes violent opposition from protesters which has led to riot police protecting workers in an area where there are often clashes with anarchists.