|
As you will be aware the Club has submitted the plan to build a new enlarged stadium at Underhill. The London Borough of Barnet is now considering this but there is growing local opposition from residents. We must stand by the Club and ensure that we do not see a repeat of the problems at Copthall. This is your last chance to keep the Club in Barnet. If you really care about Barnet Football Club and its future development, write in support of the scheme to- Mr Andrew
Smith Reference: N02646V/01 For your information the letter sent by the Committee of the Association is below. |
|||
BARNET FC SUPPORTERS' ASSOCIATION 6 December 2001 Mr Andrew
Smith Reference: N02646V/01 Dear Mr Smith I am writing to you as the chairman of the Barnet FC Supporters' Association that represents 325 members in connection with the application by the Club to develop its stadium. Firstly I wish to comment on the specific issue of the "Green Belt". After the long search by the Club for a new site, we were delighted that the LBB had been prepared to re-designate a small site to the south of the existing stadium. Whilst we note the debate about the use of "Green Belt" we understand that it is generally accepted that it may be used for recreation and sporting activities. Furthermore the Club was at Underhill before the surrounding houses and long before the "Green Belt". We view the use of a cricket pitch for a new football ground as fundamentally different from generally more intrusive developments in open country. Notwithstanding the fact that the Club was not permitted to develop the site at Copthall, we presume that when Copthall was built post-war, an exception was made for this facility to be in "Green Belt". This seems a precedent in respect of the new proposal for Underhill. We recognise the concerns of a small number of residents within the immediate area of Underhill. We would, however, ask you to consider the wider issues involved.
As part of the general debate we would remind you that the capacity proposed for the new stadium is actually lower than the 11,000 capacity that applied to the existing stadium at the time the club entered the Football League. In considering the impact of the plan on the local area in terms of crowds, traffic, noise and general disturbance this is a key factor that needs to be understood by local residents. An enlarged capacity will not necessarily bring about a substantial increase in the crowd and even if it did, probably not to the level seen at times in the past. If the club is not permitted to use this small area of "Green Belt" at the edge of an existing urban development, it will be forced to leave the Borough after a century as part of the community. This we feel is unacceptable and a view shared by the many Barnet residents who signed the petition seeking a home for the club in the Borough. The site identified is the only means of ensuring the club has a long-term viable future in Barnet and on behalf of all those interested in local football we call on the Council to deliver this. Yours sincerely S Percy |
|||