PLANS by Saracens to hold public meetings in pubs on the other side of the borough from the Barnet Copthall development have been criticised by Councillor Brian Coleman.

The rugby Premiership champions have planned four “informal” sessions with representatives in pubs in Barnet and Whetstone next Tuesday and Wednesday.

They hope to get members of the public on board with their plans to expand the Mill Hill stadium to have 10,000 seats with temporary stands and an artificial pitch.

But Cllr Coleman, who is Barnet’s London Assembly member, has come out against the proposals following some fierce opposition from some of the local community.

He said: “It is a disgrace that Saracens have decided to hold public meetings in pubs miles away from the stadium and it's affected residents.

“A pub is not a place to hold a serious meeting, and clearly the club are only playing lip service to listening to residents' concerns over this application.

“Saracens should spend more time working on their planning brief which is not fit to be presented to the planning committe, instead of wasting time putting on roadshows."

The club has said it intends to run further similar events throughought June and July to garner support.

On Tuesday they will be in Barnet at The Black Horse, Union Street, Barnet, from 6.30pm and at 8pm at Ye Olde Monken Holt, High Street.

Wednesday’s events are at The Three Horseshoes, 1166 High Road, Whetstone, at 6.30pm and The Weaver, Greenhill Parade, Great North Road, Barnet.