The club’s proposal for a new stadium close to its former Underhill home is likely to be rejected by Barnet Council’s strategic planning committee on Monday reports David Floyd

An alleyway leading to some playing fields with a car park on the right-hand side — The entrance to Barnet Playing Fields from Westcombe Drive next to the former Underhill stadium site now occupied by Ark Academy School – (Credit – David Floyd)

Barnet’s council leader has claimed that Barnet Football Club have been offered “three or four” alternative sites for a new stadium after officers recommended that their current application should be refused.

The club, which left its former Underhill home in High Barnet in 2013 has put in an application to build a new ground close to the site of the old one on Barnet Playing Fields.

The application will be discussed by councillors of the borough’s strategic planning committee at a meeting on Monday evening however, it currently seems unlikely that the proposal will be approved.

In documents published ahead of the meeting, planning officers have recommended the refusal of the application for seven reasons including that the plans represent an “inappropriate development within the green belt” and would lead to a “loss of public open space and loss of playing fields”.

While councillors on the committee could choose to override officers’ objections and support the proposal, it would be highly unusual for them to do so in a situation where the reasons for rejection are so clear.

While the location of the application site within the Metropolitan Green Belt means that it must be referred to the Mayor of London, it is thought likely that the mayor would also be opposed to the plans.

The matter was raised at the full council meeting on Tuesday (8th July) by Conservative councillor David Longstaff. In an initial written question, Cllr Longstaff asked council leader Barry Rawlings whether he was in favour of selling or leasing Barnet Playing Fields to Barnet Football Club.

In his written response, Cllr Rawlings said: “We have no plans to sell or lease Barnet Playing Fields. We would welcome Barnet Football Club returning to the Borough if an appropriate site can be identified.”

Following up at Tuesday’s meeting, Cllr Longstaff noted that many politicians had “changed their mind” after saying “we have no plans” before asking the leader “What would your preferred site be for Barnet FC within Barnet borough?”.

In response, Cllr Rawlings said: “I can’t decide where Barnet Football Club are going to put in a planning application. All that I will say is that three or four sites have been mentioned to them and we’re waiting for a response.”

A sizable crowd is expected outside the town hall in Hendon ahead of Monday’s vote with pro-stadium campaigners Bring Barnet Back seeking to create what the club described yesterday as a “carnival atmosphere”.

The club’s new Underhill plans have sparked passionate debate on both sides with the Save Barnet Playing Fields group being formed to oppose the plans.

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