Barnet Football Club is appealing for people to rally round what it says is its last chance to stay in the borough.
But the club's plans for a new £12million stadium next to Underhill received a mixed reaction after they were unveiled at a press conference last week.
Bees chairman Tony Kleanthous said plans for a 9,200 capacity stadium to the south of the club's current Underhill site were its "last chance to build a home in the borough". The club had to abandon plans for a new 10,000-seater arena at Copthall Stadium in Mill Hill after John Prescott overruled the scheme in June 1999 following a public inquiry.
The new stadium will include conferencing facilities, 14 executive boxes, lecture rooms and a number of bars and food stands. Underhill will remain in its present form to be used by the club's reserve, youth and ladies teams along with community groups.
The East Terrace is to be demolished to enhance the outlook of neighbouring residents and the club has agreed to house both St John Ambulance and the scouts, within the new stadium, to offset the loss of their original homes.
The club, which says it has received offers to move out of the borough, promised nothing will happen unless Barnet Council finds a new home for Barnet Cricket Club. However, cricket club spokesman Trevor Chambers said it had been "totally overlooked" by the plans and is considering whether to object.
David Lee, of the Barnet Society, is also concerned for the cricket club's future: "What we don't want is any agreement being reached which takes the land out of Green Belt. We also don't think it's fair to replace one sport with another," he said.
However, Bees fans have unanimously come out in favour of the proposed development. Terry Hufford, of the Official Barnet Supporters Association, said: "It has got to be the ideal solution as most of the fans wanted to stay at Underhill.
The councillors say they support Barnet and now is their chance to prove it."
Barnet Council is likely to take up to three months to reach a decision.
October 24, 2001 17:35
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article