WILDLIFE enthusiasts, scouts andallotment holders were among the objectors to plans to dispose of Green Held farmland that conservationists hoped would expand a beloved nature reserve.

More than 90 peopleand various amenity groups failed to dissuade Harrow Council from approving in principle the sale of Pear Wood Cottages - two semi-detached run down farmhouses in an forest clearing at Wood Farm in Wood Lane, Stanmore - and the leasing of two-thirds of Ten Acre Field to the east to Stanmore Dairies.

SteveBolsover, chairman of Harrow Nature Conservation Forum, accused the Labour administration of "reneging" on a 2008 land swap dealo double the size of Stanmore Country Park because the new proposal would not allow the whole field to be absorbed into Pear Wood Nature Reserve and could leave a private house in the middle of it.

ClaireAbbott, nature reserve warden, said: "These were promises that we have in writing that this area would be added to the nature reserve.

"Why should we have any faith in what is said today when the council goes back on promises made only a few years ago?"

MargaretHuitson, secretary of Harrow Natural History Society, said: "People are very angry that the previous agreement is being gone back on and the council is pressing ahead in the face of 90 objections.

"The wardens in Pear Wood have been working hard to maintain it in anticipation the field would become part of Pear Wood."

HarrowCouncil's cabinet committee decided on Thursday to delegate to the portfolio holder for property Councillor Thaya Idaikkadar (Labour) and Andrew Trehern, corporate director of place shaping, the final decision on whether to approve the sale of the cottages and leasing of Ten Acre Field - for 35 years with restrictions on its future use - after considering all the comments made during the statutory consultation.

Councilleader Bill Stephenson (Labour) told the meeting: "The decision is not a final one. I think this is a really difficult decision.

"Iwould dearly like to open this up as 60 acres for open ground. We have the the opportunity to do that and, to my regret, there is a price to pay."

BOX:

2008 DEAL

n Stanmore Dairies surrenders agricultural leases to 43 and 29 acres at Wood Farm

n Sell 3.5 acres of Wood Farm land to Stanmore Dairies to build 10 houses

n Ten Acre Field to extend Pear Wood Nature Reserve to 45 acres

n 59 acres of Wood Farm to extend Stanmore Country Park to 157 acres

n Stanmore Dairies to spend c. £900,000 on wildlife refuge works

n Council income from sale

2012 DEAL

n Stanmore Dairies surrenders agricultural leases to 43 and 29 acres at Wood Farm

n Sell 3.5 acres of Wood Farm land to Stanmore Dairies to build 10 houses

n Sell 0.75-acre Pear Wood Cottages to Stanmore Dairies for renovation

n Lease 7.3 acres of Ten Acre Field to Stanmore Dairies for 35 years

n Remaining 2.7 acres of Ten Acre Field to extend Pear Wood Nature Reserve to 38 acres

n 61 acres of Wood Farm to extend Stanmore Country Park to 149 acres

n Stanmore Dairies to spend money on country park works

n Council income from sale and rental of land