Barnet Ground News....

[JohnKirby]

Barnet Council leader Victor Lyon announced for the first time this week he would be willing to give Barnet FC the land it needs to build a new south stand a move which was warmly welcomed by the club in the hope of reaching a long sought-after compromise.

 

Two weeks ago club chairman Tony Kleanthous was contacted by the Football Trust, with a promise to give the club £400,000 to help build the 1,000-seater stand. However, the money must be taken up before July or it will be withdrawn. Despite being urged to submit a planning application for the new stand by Mr Lyon, Mr Kleanthous has been reluctant to do so, because it would encroach on to Green Belt land by about 20 metres.

 

In the likely event that the proposal is accepted by a planning committee, Mr Kleanthous has feared the council, which currently leases the land to Barnet Cricket Club, would not give the club the land.

 

But Mr Lyon this week said he would be happy to cede the land to the club on a lease.

 

"I would not be willing to sell it the land because it is Green Belt, but there is no reason why a long-term lease of 125, 150 or even 200 years cannot be entered into with the club," he said.

 

The cricket club and scouts, who would also be affected by the development, have already agreed to the plans and at last October's aborted independent inquiry the inspector said he could see no reason' why a slight encroachment onto Green Belt land would not be acceptable.

 

Barnet FC PR consultant Dennis Signy said: "Victor Lyon's commitment is a welcome step forward. The club looks forward to putting in a planning application as soon as practicable."