11:37am Thursday 16th March 2006
Back on January 5, 2005, this newspaper wrote a very honest and direct editorial about how I personally felt about Barnet Football Club (BFC), and I want it known that I have never wavered in my support for such a prestigious football club.
Many of my fellow Conservative councillors feel the same. We can refer to BFC and its wonderful history of more than 100 years, which gives it a status of such a valuable legacy to the many things that make Barnet great and make it such a sought-after place to live and call home.
Make no mistake; we will keep BFC in Barnet at Underhill, unless of course the management of the club would wish to do otherwise.
Of course, like the fans, I am continually so disappointed that procrastination still rules and that there still has not been a settlement to the ongoing much-needed plans to remodel the stadium. I'm tired, like everyone else must be, of the constant finger-pointing.
Nevertheless, whatever the outcome in the May 4 elections, Barnet FC chairman Tony Kleanthous and BFC will still have to submit a final planning application for the required redevelopment. I know he has spent thousands of pounds on previously submitted plans, but at the end of the day, that is simply the way planning laws work for every resident in the London Borough of Barnet. There are no exceptions. If your application is refused, then go back to the drawing board and draft another plan.
So come on Tony and co., please give us a chance with your new application; you know you already have the extra 20 yards extension you wanted to get the job done. So come what may on May 4, you still have to do it.
Councillor Terry Burton
East Barnet ward
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