Following a resolution to refuse consent by Councillors at the Strategic Planning Committee on 14 July 2025, the planning application for our new community stadium was refused planning permission by Barnet Council on 24 July 2025.
The proposed development sought to return the Club to Barnet, close to its former home at Underhill, following the Club’s move to The Hive in Harrow in 2013. The primary purpose of the return to Barnet was to secure the Club’s long term sustainable future in the town from whence we take our name.
The application was refused primarily because the site is in the Green Belt and is open space. However, the Club met with a Leading Counsel towards the end of 2025, who confirmed that the Club has very good prospects of being successful at an appeal on the basis of national ‘Grey Belt’ policy.
At the Planning Committee meeting, all the Councillors said that they want the Club to return home. Our supporters, represented by Bring Barnet Back, have taken the Councillors at their word and have reported that they have had very positive discussions since the refusal decision with Councillors and officers.
The Council’s decision to refuse planning consent can be appealed by the Club within six months from the date of decision. The Club, therefore, has until 24 January 2026 to submit an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.
Bring Barnet Back have requested that the Club abandon the appeal so as to allow them to continue to engage positively with the Council. The Council have made it clear that they will not make the Barnet Playing Fields site available to the Club and would prefer to identify alternative sites. The Council and Bring Barnet Back are currently exploring alternative sites in order to reach an amicable solution that allows the Club to return home.
On this basis, and after much deliberation, the Club has decided to not pursue the refusal of Barnet Playing Fields at appeal.
The Club remains supportive of Bring Barnet Back and the work they are doing to aid the return of the Club to its historic home and will review the situation after May’s local elections.
We hope that we will receive the full support of the Council, so that we can bring our incredible Club back to where it belongs and will update supporters again very soon.
COYB