A RESIDENTS’ group has been set up to support plans from Saracens rugby club to make their home at a stadium in Mill Hill.

Residents for Regeneration (RfR) has come together as a reaction to a group against the plans calling itself the Copthall Community Initiative (CCI).

The CCI has revealed it wanted to put together a “Big Society” plan to rival Saracens’ scheme to redevelop Copthall Stadium to a 10,000 seat arena with demountable stands.

The objectors fear the number of supporters driving to the ground for up to 16 match days each season will cause gridlock on local roads.

However, Deborah Donner, who lives in Hendon Wood Lane, Mill Hill, has helped to form the new group, which says it is entirely independent of the Premiership club, to support the plans.

She said: “We came together because we felt the opposition group was looking too much on the negatives and not looking at how good this could be for the community, particularly the youth.

“I am a Saracens fan but I’m also a local resident with two children and I can see how many benefits this could bring to the community without the council having to spend a penny.

“A lot of people have been focussing on traffic and parking, but at most problems will be for 16-days-a-year and that I think is a small price to pay for the benefits it will bring. My road will be used as a cut-through so I will be affected.”

RfR claims to have supporters aged between 17 and 70 coming forward to join them.

Under the proposals a new artificial pitch would be put down and made available to local youth groups and schools whenever Saracens were not playing. The stadium will also become the base for the Saracens’ Foundation, which works with youngsters to provide sports training.

Ms Donner denied the group had any affiliation with Saracens, saying it wanted to remain “independent” but “support the plans”.

She added: “There’s no doubt the stadium needs investment, where would this other group get the money to do that? These plans also allow the refurbished running track to remain in use.

“My son has been involved in the Saracens Foundation and absolutely loved it. He’s started playing rugby because of it and it’s really helped his development personally.

“It would be great to have them working more with children in Barnet, especially those who really need it, rather than in Hertfordshire.”

The group is planning a drop-in session at Quench Cafe, Salcombe Gardens, on April 28, to answer questions about the scheme and is in the process of launching a website.