The council’s neglect of a local wetland has led to an important wildlife habitat drying out and silting up, according to Mill Hill Liberal Democrat Roger Tichborne.

Mr Tichborne, who was a candidate in this year’s local elections, has called on council leader Cllr Richard Cornelius to hold a meeting of the Barnet Council Urgency Committee to come up with a plan to manage the wetland.

Darlands Lake, which is at the centre of a nature reserve and is used as a refuge by migratory birds, has silted up and almost completely dried out.

Last year, a scheme was discussed at Barnet Council to outsource the management of the lake to a consortium of local groups, including Totteridge Manor Association and the Mill Hill Preservation Society.

But Mr Tichborne said it was unclear what had become of these plans and the lack of action had led to the total silting up of the site.

Mr Tichborne admitted that the recent dry weather had made matters worse, but said the issues affecting the lake was long-running.

He said: “The council needs to convene the urgency committee, inviting local stakeholders to put together a plan now,

“The council admitted that Darlands has been neglected for 20 years, now the situation is critical. This must be resolved as a matter of urgency.”

A council spokesman said: “We are keen for improvements to be made to Darlands Lake and surrounding countryside, and have selected a not-for-profit trust with the intention that it will take over management of the site.

“We are now in discussions with the group around agreeing the arrangements of the lease. This will include delivering a range of improvements such as dredging and maintaining Darlands Lake to remove the accumulation of silt which has built up.

“Low water levels in the lake have been compounded in recent weeks by the extended spell of hot weather.”

Mr Tichborne also expressed concerns that Angel Pond, a beauty spot on Mill Hill High Street, had been neglected and overrun by pond weed.

Angel Pond is not owned by the council.