Saracens' plans to move to Barnet Copthall Stadium have been criticised by the Mayor of London's office for the second time.
Whilst the Greater London Authority acknowledges the “considerable amount of work” Saracens has put into its revised proposals to develop the 1960s athletics stadium into a 10,000 seated venue, it still has concerns.
In a letter addressed to Barnet Council, the Mayor’s office says: “The impact of such a large scale development within the Green Belt remains the paramount issue...the large influx of cars and people would be harmful to the quiet character of the Green Belt.”
The revised application includes a modified design featuring wood, trees and greenery in an attempt to soften the visual impact of the new East stand.
It also aims to reduce the percentage of fans travelling by car to 36 per cent and suggests a match-day coach service from Hertfordshire towns offering six routes to and from Copthall as well as a regular double-decker shuttle service connecting Edgware, Mill Hill Broadway and Mill Hill East stations to the stadium.
But the Mayor's office says more needs to be done to comply with the London Plan transport policy and raises concerns about the development increasing traffic and noise pollution.
The report means Saracens will have to reconsider their proposals once again.
Even if the scheme is approved by Barnet Council's planning committee it still has to be signed off by the Mayor of London.
Saracens’ plans can be seen at www.copthallrevival.co.uk
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