Confusion is rife over the state of Barnet Football Club’s tenancy at The Hive following the revelation that the first team is not currently allowed to play professional football at the ground.

Harrow Council yesterday told the Times' sister paper The Harrow Times that an application to amend the original lease for the Camrose Avenue stadium – which would allow professional football to be played there – had been approved last year.

But today the authority went on to reveal the plans were never actually followed through and, as it stands, no Football League fixtures are permitted at the ground.

The Bees were relegated on the final day of the season on April 27 – demoting the club out of the Football League and into The Conference Division.

The club’s relegation meant the current lease agreement at The Hive remained suitable for next season’s fixtures in the semi-professional league.

But had the team stayed up, club chairman Tony Kleanthous and Harrow Council would have had little more than three months to push through the amendment before the first team’s opening League Two fixtures in August.

The club left its former home at Underhill in High Barnet in favour of The Hive in Edgware following a disagreement with Barnet Council.

A number of Edgware residents have gathered a petition against the playing of professional football at The Hive over fears of increased noise and traffic.

It is not currently clear if Harrow Council had plans to consult on the amendment.

Had it not been pushed through in time, it is possible Barnet Football Club would have been left homeless.

The situation has left Bees fans and a number of neighbours of The Hive unsure over what might have happened had Barnet FC avoided relegation.

The Harrow Times intends to pose a series of questions to the club and the council about the situation, answers to which will be published if and when they are received.