Barnet given go ahead to build stadium for league football at Canon’s Park

Harrow Council approved Barnet FC’s plan to build a football league stadium at the Hive last night with a lease of 10 years. A lease has been approved from the beginning of season 2013/14 to the end of 2022/23 and thus ends Barnet’s wait for a new ground after years of fruitless wrangling with Barnet Council. The capacity of the ground will be 5176.

Harrow Councillor, Thaya Idaikker said earlier this week that Barnet’s move to Canons Park is expected to bring “tremendous social and economic benefits to the community, as well as employment and training opportunities within the local area”.

Barnet FC though must agree to a ‘Green Travel Plan’ which would involve a requirement that a majority of Barnet supporters will travel by either public transport or by travel arrangements made by Barnet FC. The club must meet these requirements before it will be allowed to play league football at the Hive.

There is also an agreement that trees cut down by the tube line during building of the ground must be replaced. Bees’ chairman, Tony Kleanthous was said to be ‘delighted’ by the news that, at long last, Barnet FC’s future seems to be secured. Now there will begin a period of consultation with Barnet fans to win over their hearts and minds to the move.

The move will see the club leave Underhill Stadium their home for the past 106 years. Since the Hive opened in 2009 by the then England manager Fabio Capello the £11 million complex underwent an additional £4 million renovation over thge summer and added a gym, changing facilities , restaurant, bar and 500 person sit down baqueting suite- all which will be open to the public and people from the local area – as well as offices for the club’s staff.