A horticultural society has urged its council to rethink plans to turn its current site into a housing development.

Representatives of Headstone Horticultural Society (HHS), in Long Elmes, Harrow Weald, presented an online petition with almost 3,000 signatures to Harrow Council, highlighting their concerns for its future.

The council, which owns the land where HSS is based, intends to terminate the lease at the site next month, with the space earmarked for four new affordable homes.

But HSS believe this does not represent good value for the wider community and hopes to secure a long-term lease to continue operating.

Margo Dimlic, who started the petition, explained that HSS, a volunteer-run, non-profit organisation, is a “safe space” for so many people.

She noted how it supports, among others, those who are vulnerable, have mental health issues, are victims of abuse, or suffer from loneliness.

The society sells plants and gardening products, offers cake and hot drinks and gives people an opportunity to “meet others, talk and make new friends”.

In the petition, it explains it has “assisted in filling out forms, CV writing, explaining doctors’ letters and even changing dressings on wounds”.

Ms Dimlic added the council’s offer of moving to Harrow Weald Recreation Ground or having a smaller set-up at its current location is unsuitable.

Cllr Stephen Greek, who represents Harrow Weald ward, said it would be a “tragedy” if the borough lost these “valued facilities”.

He said: “Headstone Horticultural Society is a real crown jewel in the crown of Harrow.

“It offers so much to the local community and we can’t really replicate what they do.

“Once it’s gone, it’s gone and the cost of that to the council would be a lot more than what it could make by moving them from the site.”

He was supported by Cllr Marilyn Ashton, deputy leader of Harrow Conservatives, who accused the current administration of being “high handed” over the matter and said it had “upset a lot of people”.

The campaigners also hope to reverse Harrow Clinical Commissioning Group’s (CCG’s) decision to move the adjacent Wijeratne Surgery to Belmont Health Centre – around a mile and a half away.

Hatch End ward councillor John Hinkley said this had forced thousands of patients to find alternative access to medical care and suggested the process was “ill-conceived”.

Cllr Keith Ferry, deputy leader of Harrow Council who is responsible for regeneration, planning and employment, said the council was in the “early stages” of examining the site’s redevelopment potential.

Upon receiving the petition at a full council meeting on Thursday (July 16), he did not comment on the possibility of extending HSS’ lease.

He added it was important for the council to “make the best use of its property assets”, including the need for affordable housing in the borough with 1,200 households currently in temporary accommodation.