Saracens chief exec denies Copthall planning claims (From Times Series)

Saracens chief executive Edward Griffiths denies claims on planning application for Barnet Copthall stadium

10:40am Tuesday 2nd November 2010 in News By Alex Hayes

THE chief executive of Saracens RFC has dismissed a report claiming the club plan to submit a planning application for Barnet Copthall Stadium within a month.

Two weeks ago the Times Series revealed there had been talks between Barnet Council and the Premiership club over the future of the Mill Hill site.

Yesterday the Telegraph claimed the Premiership rugby club were looking at submitting a planning application for a 10-12,000 seater stadium at the venue within a month.

It also said the club hoped to be playing home matches there from next season.

However, Edward Griffiths denied the claims, saying there was no time scale put in place for reaching a final decision.

He said: “We are still looking at a number of options including talking to Watford and are not going to provide a running commentary. People can speculate as much as they want but they will only look stupid.

“We will make an announcement when we're ready. The speculation is just irrelevant.”

Last week Barnet FC threatened any decision in favour of Saracens would mean they would quit the borough as they struggle to find a better home ground than Underhill.

The club had a plan for a 10,000 seater stadium on Copthall turned down by John Prescott in 2001 following fierce local opposition in the area.

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