A SUPPORTER of a Hendon heritage museum due to be sold says he fears finding “a responsible owner” is not Barnet Council’s main concern.

Leading Tory councillors last night voted to put the land at Church Farmhouse, in Greyhound Hill, up for sale and claim the council cannot afford to maintain involvement in the site.

But those who worked to support the 17th Century Grade II* listed building located there say it was visited by thousands of people every year and will be sorely missed.

David Bicknell, chairman of the Friends of Church Farmhouse Museum, said: “The council seems to want to rid itself of all responsibility for the museum so one just has to hope that whoever buys it will be a responsible owner.

“But that doesn’t seem to be the primary concern of the council.”

The building has been a museum for 55 years but had to close after the council withdrew funding for it in March.

The future of the farmhouse will now depend on who buys it but there was some hope for some of its supporters.

Last night’s committee meeting confirmed Barnet Borough Art Council and Hendon and District Archaeological Society (HADAS) will be consulted on the sale.

Keith Martin, of the Barnet Borough Art Council, said last night: “Everything as far as Church Farmhouse Museum is concerned is going to be considered as part of English Heritage.

“That was confirmed this evening.”

HADAS at one point hoped to take over running the museum but pulled out in May.

Councillor Richard Cornelius, leader of the council, said the future of the building would be protected through its status as a listed building but insisted there was no way the council could continue to maintain it.

He said: “Work needs to be done to the building and that needs to be achieved somehow. I think we are in very difficult times and one has to take the totality of the budget into account.”