The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has waved through plans for Saracens Rugby Club to relocate to Copthall Stadium.

The plans were referred to the Mayor’s office for approval after Barnet Council’s Planning and Environment Committee unanimously gave its assent for the move earlier this month.

The Premiership rugby team plans to redevelop the Sixties stadium into a 10,000 seater venue which will be used for 16 home matches a year.

Saracens chairman, Nigel Wray said: “We are obviously delighted with the decision from the Mayor’s office, which puts us a significant step closer to reviving Barnet Copthall Stadium and creating a vibrant sports hub for the local community.

“The new stadium will provide both a real home for Saracens and a hugely improved venue for athletics in the south east. It will secure the future of the highly successful Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers and offer great facilities free of charge to local schools.

“The benefits of our proposals have been recognised by much of the local community, including sports clubs, community groups, schools and local residents. It would be fitting in Olympic year to deliver a centre of inspiration, aspiration, ambition, health and community wellbeing achieved through sport and education.

“Copthall will, we promise, be a genuine community stadium and we will continue to work closely with the local community and make Copthall an asset that we can all be proud of.”

The club is still waiting for approval from the Department for Communities and Local Government before its plans can be realised.