PLANS to pump around £1.3m into a Sudbury park through the sale of two houses were approved last night.

Leading Brent councillors voted through proposals to flog the buildings, on the edge of Barham Park, in Harrow Road, to homeless charity the Notting Hill Housing Trust.

The sale is expected to raise around £630,000 but the council hopes to double that figure by applying for funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Councillor Paul Lorber, leader of the council, said: “If it happens it will mean fantastic progress for Barham Park because it's a beautiful park but years of wear and tear have had an impact.

“I'm a councillor for the area so this is very close to my heart. For quite a few years we have been pushing for major improvements.”

One of the cottages is currently being used as a temporary children's centre but the service will be moved to Barham Park Library, in Harrow Road, in the new year.

The other is already being used for temporary housing.

If the Heritage Lottery Fund does not provide cash for the scheme, the council says it will press ahead with the money from the sale of the houses.