Community united against stadium plan

11:12am Thursday 30th March 2006

The recent packed-out meeting of Montrose residents rejected the idea of a football stadium in their local park. This wild idea, announced by council leader Brian Salinger with an arrogant flourish, as if we residents did not even exist, revealed his own attitude to consultation.

His motives are deeply suspect. It is a widely held view that it is a political diversion on his part. However, we now find ourselves having to look at all relevant factors. In this process we discover that there was a review and assessment of potential sites for Barnet FC a few years ago in which it was said that Montrose Park was not a suitable site.

Finally, the recent statement from the Barnet FC supporters' campaign is unequivocal in its opposition to Montrose Park as the site for a stadium, and it announced on March 15 that it was joining forces with Montrose residents to oppose the council leader's idea for their park. They, too, list the many factors that make it an unsuitable venue.

I almost feel inclined to offer a thank you to Mr Salinger for bringing us together in a common cause. It would be best now if he would stop politicising and do what should have been done by his office and colleagues in the beginning to start talking sensibly with Barnet FC, stop wasting ratepayers' money on legal and other costly actions, and use his office constructively.

Matthew Shahbazi
Montrose Park Residents' Association