Club must respect planning law

3:59pm Thursday 19th January 2006

It is clear from a sight of the planning application submitted by Barnet FC that the proposal is to build a car park at the southern end of Underhill stadium, across the northern side of the cricket ground, and also on the Green Belt public open space, land neither leased nor owned by the football or cricket clubs.

It is perfectly reasonable that Barnet Council went to court to obtain an injunction in view of the applicant's stated intention to start building the car park for 50 vehicles on January 9.

Every planning application must go through its due legal process, and approval' obtained before the planned work can commence. My understanding is that because the land in this instance is Green Belt land, the proposal would need to be referred to the Greater London Authority, should it first be approved by the council.

Surely local residents would not like the idea of being forced to give up Green Belt land for a car park without proper democratic debate and consultation.

Peter Sawyer
secretary, BRASS (Barnet Residents Against a Second Stadium)