The fight to save the White Lion Ground goes on....new developments....

[GRS67]

The council agreed the development of Prince Edward Playing Fields by Barnet FC last night. Barnet plan to buy the site then lease it back to wealdstone. So the development now has to go forward for planning approval. As the council have been trying to offload their responsibility for a number of years I can not see this being denied.

 

However, there are a number of references in the document to 'another semi-professional club' using a 'green stadium' which will be funded by £800k from a S106 agreement from another planning application.

 

They are obviously referring to Edgware Town and the White Lion so the fight goes on to save our ground

[GRS67]

There will be a number of pitches on the site, five a side ptiches, hockey pitches. Barnet will use the site, but not they say for their first team, that however remains to be seen.

 

They I read intend to give wstone a 125 year lease on the site that was supposed to be THEIR ground.

 

IF, and I say IF Edgware were given their own site, NOT sharing the ground that wealdstone will use, and in that case thier own clubhouse/bar etc, the.....and only then would I be happy about relocating. That said, it WOULD have to be the very last option.

 

Obviously the five year extension that the club were given the end of the matter. The fight indeed goes on, and who knows what developments will happen in the future.

 

IF we have to leave the White Lion one day, then I would be much happier having our own new ground, even if its a kit ground with no character then having to share with wstone.

[Rhodes]

Gavin - Yes I also read the following in a local rag which I'm pasting in below, er enjoy!

'Harrow Council today welcomed a major proposal to refurbish the Prince Edward Playing Fields in Edgware which, if approved by councillors, will bring top quality football coaching for Harrow people and provide a permanent home for Wealdstone Football Club. The plan, proposed by a subsidiary of Barnet Football Club will be discussed by Harrow Council Cabinet on 3 August and, if approved, will be subject to planning permission before getting a final go-ahead.

Under the proposal the main stadium at the site would become the home for Wealdstone FC and adjoining pitches would be upgraded. A health Club and sports injury clinic are also included in the plans. Barnet FC would provide a football academy for boys and girls and coaching for all levels of football skills for both sexes. The League 2 side would use the facilities as a training ground to complement their current stadium at Underhill in Barnet which will remain their main stadium. Harrow Council leader Chris Mote said: "We have been through a long process to get this far and Barnet have met the criteria. It will be discussed by the Council Cabinet on 3 August and if approved further negotiations will begin. Finding a home for Wealdstone Football Club and providing a football academy for Harrow would be an outstanding result for the Borough".

Wealdstone FC Director Howard Krais said: "We share the Council's and Barnet FC's vision and are very committed to serving the Community, we are delighted and excited about this."

[GRS67]

BUT...Barnet, have been looking for a new ground for a long time now, and they still can't build on their present ground. You have to ask yourself, our rather the fans of wstone have to ask thierselfs if this is just a way of Barnet buying a ready made ground, even though it would be in the borough of Harrow.

[Rhodes]

Gavin - Well I gather from a reliable source that that is exactly the case, the articles go out of their way to reiterate that Barnet will continue to play at Underhill whilst using the new, all singing all dancing, facility as a training ground but get real, who do they think they are kidding. I'll get hold of the Minutes from the Harrow Council Cabinet meeting on 3 August and cut and paste the discussions on here for you which will no doubt make interesting reading.

[BBFC11]

Bore off Gavin no one cares about the WLG, hope they smash it up.

[Rhodes]

BroxBoroBlue - Come on let him have his fun. Gavin - I attach a further link following the Harrow Council Cabinet Meeting last Thursday with a further link to the Minutes, it's all systems go then:

'Harrow Council has agreed to enter into a partnership that will see Prince Edward Playing Fields become the permanent home for Wealdstone Football Club and a new Football Centre of Excellence. The Council’s Cabinet has agreed to enter into a partnership with Barnet Football Club that would see the site developed as a sports complex and football stadium with leisure and catering facilities. Councillor Marilyn Ashton, portfolio holder for property and planning, said: “This partnership represents a tremendous opportunity to realise something truly special for Harrow, we have a real chance to improve sports facilities for local people, whilst at the same time finding a home for Wealdstone FC. This will be a fantastic facility, a centre of excellence and a huge asset for the whole Borough“.

 

See the council cabinet papers

[Rhodes]

Gavin - The link above didn't work, if this doesn't work either PM me your home address and I'll put a copy in the post, it's quite a weighty tome although nothing in comparison to a Hoddesdon Town programme:

 

Key Decision - Prince Edward Playing Fields - Consideration of Proposal submitted by Football First PDF 2 M

 

Report of the Executive Director (Urban Living)

[Rhodes]

Gavin - Did you get the Non League paper on Sunday, if not it contained the following extract:

A Club is facing collapse after its local Council agreed to housing on its ground. SSML Edgware Town face eviction from the White Lion and are searching for a new home. Harrow Council's development Committee has made a U-turn agreeing to allow the Club's landlords to use the site for housing, Edgware have only a five year lease. Councillors hope to see Edgware move to a proposed multi million stadium complex earmarked for the Prince Edward Playing Fields in Cannons Park as part of a deal between league side Barnet and Wealdstone. But Edgware Secretary Paul Gregory said the plan was at present nothing more than 'pie in the sky', Gregory said it would be impossible for Edgware to play three teams alongside five sides from Barnet and Wealdstone and without Clubhouse bar takings, they would have no revenue. The original application was rejected in April because it contradicted the Council's policy on developing green field sites.

[GRS67]

Yes I readd that on Sunday Rhodes, thanks for posting the links. There have been several articles in the local press. The Edgware times even carried a colour photo of the ground with the article on the FRONT PAGE!