Let’s get show on the road (From Times Series)

By all means write - but to oppose this doubtful scheme! No, Saracens have NOT done their homework, yes, there will be problems, and NO local residents and their Councillors will in effect be powerless over the 99 year lease to make sure local people are not subjected to serious traffic problems, as well as a substantial reduction in the genuine community use of Copthall as a whole. How come Barnet Council have givem Saracens this lease for a peppercorn rent less than the poor old council taxpayer will have to fork out to store the documents? Why, out of 16 million pounds for a bodged scheme could Saracens have not paid a market price for a suitable site and put up a decent stadium? As to their claim to be a "North London Club", when for 13 years they have played in Hertfordshire where the majorioty of their supporters are, that is simply propaganda. Much like Ann Bunyard's letter, actually.
Saracens plans should not be allowed!

Hi .. I totally agree with Mr Grower.. and then some. The "coaches" plan sounds lovely but how many 45 -50 year olds - which is apparently the average age of said saracen supporters are going to be happy sitting on a coach for up to 1.5 hours ( by the time they go through all the pickup points & actually get off !!) .. going to a game then waiting till everyone gets back on a coach .. and then the lovely 1.5 hour trip home ? Not many .. especially after a few weeks of doing it. They will decide to drive and chaos will ensue. I do not know why they call themselves a NW London team - they are not ! oh a long time ago they played in Southgate .. and then they ran off to Watford. Its here they have built a fan base over the last 13 years !! There is no "heartland" fans are spread all over southern England. North London is football. Goto an area that really NEEDS some regeneration. A place where the council estates kids have been almost disowned and should really get the investment - Borehamwood - Luton for example. What about all the kids / youth clubs currently at Watford ? Are parents expected to take the kids all the way to Copthall after school in rush hour - nah ! so they will lose a vital link and activity .. Thanks ! What other events are going to be put on at the site .. yes the site is licensed for up to 3000 people but how often and what will the traffic controls be ? Traffic congestion has changed significantly since the site was built and this should be reassessed. Are we also going to see end top Sat & Sun football at Copthall ????????

Yes the site needs investment, but selling the " Council Silver" to solve the problem I do not feel is the way to go. Let them use the site to train and still make an investment - albeit smaller one. Now that would be a true altruistic gesture.. but then again saracens is a business and they need to make a return .. eventually

Regards RR

Moan, moan, moan....it doesnt half getting tiring listening to you two.......lift your heads a little higher from the ground and you might see the light. Read the plans - there is actually good to come from this community stadium that it isnt achieving yet, half of what it (with significant investment) is capable of.

Come on LBB.....see the potential!

Congratulations to Lionel for showing consistency - at least in the house propaganda style of Saracens PR. Yes, I've not only read the plans ,,but also the accompanying documents. It's obvious Saracens intend to regulate the whole area, demanding proof that (e.g.) users of the swimming pool are bona-fide on match days. That's infernal cheek! Barnet citizens get precious little from their Council - and the present heavily used facilities are important to the whole community, not just to those who find the spectacle of men wrestling in mud absolutely fascinating. Get off our case, Saracens, go find a suitable site near public transport and dip your hand into your stash of Krugerands and actually PAY for it! Bat boxes and PR visits to primary schools are a poor recompense for this very large stadium, the traffic, and the damage to the Green Belt Saracens will bring. It ought not to be allowed!

Dear all .. why is this only being discussed here ?? Why is the Barnet -Times not discussing this or highlighting this to local residents ? At what stage is the planning process ? who is going to be impacted from the new plans ? Or are Barnet Times not a voice for local people any more just corporates ?? care to discuss ??? This is not just a new extension to someones house this will potentially change the area for ever. We can see what happened at Watford and they cant wait to see the back of the Saracens.

Lets have an open forum and discuss this rather than have it rammed down our throat and forced to accept the situation. Or maybe the saracens do not want to discuss things - as we saw what happened the last time ! oh yes they reduced car traffic flow from 70% to 30% !!

lets discuss ..discuss .. come on Edward Griffiths !!

Dear all .. why is this only being discussed here ?? Why is the Barnet -Times not discussing this or highlighting this to local residents ? At what stage is the planning process ? who is going to be impacted from the new plans ? Or are Barnet Times not a voice for local people any more just corporates ?? care to discuss ??? This is not just a new extension to someones house this will potentially change the area for ever. We can see what happened at Watford and they cant wait to see the back of the Saracens.

Lets have an open forum and discuss this rather than have it rammed down our throat and forced to accept the situation. Or maybe the saracens do not want to discuss things - as we saw what happened the last time ! oh yes they reduced car traffic flow from 70% to 30% !!

lets discuss ..discuss .. come on Edward Griffiths !!

Dear all .. why is this only being discussed here ?? Why is the Barnet -Times not discussing this or highlighting this to local residents ? At what stage is the planning process ? who is going to be impacted from the new plans ? Or are Barnet Times not a voice for local people any more just corporates ?? care to discuss ??? This is not just a new extension to someones house this will potentially change the area for ever. We can see what happened at Watford and they cant wait to see the back of the Saracens.

Lets have an open forum and discuss this rather than have it rammed down our throat and forced to accept the situation. Or maybe the saracens do not want to discuss things - as we saw what happened the last time ! oh yes they reduced car traffic flow from 70% to 30% !!

lets discuss ..discuss .. come on Edward Griffiths !!