NEW UNDERHILL – PLANNING COMMITTEE UPDATE

Barnet Council’s Strategic Planning Committee voted to refuse the application for the proposed 7,000 capacity stadium and ancillary community facilities on Barnet Playing Fields last night, Monday 14th July. The Committee room was well attended by Barnet fans, with many standing at the back during the proceedings and even filling a second overflow room. There were also members of Save Barnet Playing Fields who opposed the application.

The focus of the debate came down to development on the green belt and in a local park. Planning Officers do not agree that the site is grey belt and stated that the proposed development is unacceptable in principle and take the view that it is a significant development in both scale and footprint and the substantial harm caused is not outweighed by the benefits put forward.

Following the presentation from the Officer, Councillors and representatives from Community Groups spoke against and in support of the scheme and answered questions from Members of the Committee.

Councillor Edwards, Councillor Longstaff, Councillor Beg and Councillor Clarke spoke against the scheme. All four of the Councillors expressed that they wished to see the Club return to the Borough but cited the loss of Green Belt and protected open space, noise impacts, the impact on Ravenscroft Cottages and Northway Primary School, traffic disruption and land ownership as reasons for objection.

Councillor Roberts spoke in support of the scheme and emphasised the overwhelmingly positive response in bringing Barnet back to Underhill when speaking to residents. Cllr Roberts carefully explained the Very Special Circumstances (VSC) and benefits that returning the club would bring to his Underhill ward and Barnet as a whole. Cllr Roberts stated that the site is not visible from Wood Street or the High Street and the only historic value of the site is from the link with the football club.

The Chair of Save Barnet Playing Fields, Mr Verill, spoke of the irreparable damage to a vital community asset and claimed that the vast majority of local people strongly oppose the development.

Iain Botterill of the Bring Back Barnet campaign spoke passionately about the public benefits the stadium would bring and reiterated that this is the only realistic site for the Club to return, questioning Councillors to clarify where other potential sites might be. Mr Botterill highlighted that Love Barnet and Barnet’s Residents Association both support the application and stated that Councillors are responsible for what happens next. The 2002 planning application for the stadium at Underhill was supported by Members because of Very Special Circumstances which are still applicable today.

Sean McGrath, Planning Director at WSP, emphasised the broad agreement that the Club needs to return to Barnet and that the site should be viewed as grey belt rather than Green Belt. He set out the compelling VSC case and stated that the site is the only realistic location for the Club. In addition, Mr McGrath highlighted that the principle of building in this location is accepted by the Council with the allocation of the 14,000 square foot destination sports hub which is, in any case, incorporated in the stadium’s north stand.

Following the presentations, Members directed questions to Officers which largely focused on the relevance of the 2018 Green Belt study, the effect on the environment and progress of the investment in the Destination Sports Hub.

Cllr Gordon picked up on the point that objectors had made, that they wanted the Club back in Barnet but that this was the wrong site. He requested to defer the item as the key consideration of the case and Members’ assessment of the VSC case, is whether South Underhill is the only realistic site for the Club to relocate to. He quoted the Council Leader’s claim that the Club have been sent “three or four” alternative sites. The Legal Representative from the Council referred to the Officers Assessment which stated that there are no alternative sites in the Borough. However, the Committee Chair, Cllr Young, stated that the alternative site analysis had already been undertaken and that the focus should be on the site presented in this application.

Cllr Young said that on this basis there was no benefit in deferring as, despite all Committee Members agreeing that they wished to see the Club return, this location was deemed to be inappropriate. Overall, six Members refused the application and three Members abstained.

The Club is currently reviewing last night’s outcome and will publish another update in due course.

Needless to say, we are extremely disappointed but wish to put on record our thanks to the tireless work of everyone who has given their time, passion and efforts in our quest to bring the Club back to the Borough of Barnet; back home.

#TheTogethernessContinues