Harrow Borough Council has announced it will move ahead with plans to turn a historic farm into a new country park.

Pinner Park Farm will be changed into a park under proposals the council consulted on earlier this year.

The authority, which owns the 230 acre site just of George V Avenue, says the proposals will open up the land to the public.

The plans includes include the restoration of historic farm buildings and the construction of a small number of luxury homes.

The sale of the new properties would provide the money required to create the park and maintain it, which the council hopes will mean it will be cost neutral.

Deputy leader of the council Keith Ferry said: “The site and the maintenance of the historic buildings are a problem a number of past council administrations have failed to deal with.

“This is a practical plan for the land and allows us secure the site for the future generations in Harrow.

“One of the things I hate is that there is nowhere to go in Harrow, for people who live here and for people outside the area to visit.

“This could become an attraction within the borough.”

During the council consultation on the proposals in June this year, which total of 696 people took part in, concerns were raised over the future of the site and farm.

Independent councillor and member of the Friends of Pinner Park Farm, Georgia Weston said: “I am very angry and disappointed the council has decided to move ahead with this.

“Before the plans were announced earlier this year, there was no desire for a country park from residents and these plans are being forced on people.

“Nearly all the people who I have spoken to say they want to keep farming on the site.

“This announcement is not the end for us. It is the beginning and we will keep fighting. If they think they can carry on with this and ignore what people want then they have another thing coming.”

Cllr Ferry said: “These proposals remove inappropriate industrial units from this historic site, and return more than 200 acres of land to the people of the borough to use and enjoy.

“At a time when urban sprawl is swallowing up so much of London, our proposals also preserve the beautiful views in Pinner Park for the enjoyment of future generations.”

Harrow council says it will now move forward with developing a master plan for the park based on the proposals, with a second consultation due to take place in the first half of next year.