Campaigners have rallied against plans for a new 7,000-seat stadium in north London, which they say would displace grassroots football and strip the community of valued green space.
In January, Barnet FC submitted plans to the local council for a new stadium, as well as floodlights, parking, public facilities, a club shop, and a community medical centre at Barnet Playing Fields on Barnet Lane.
The 6.5-hectare site is open grassland bordered to the south by Upper Dollis Brook, a protected nature area, and sits next to the Totteridge Conservation Area.
The club, currently in the National League, says the stadium would help prepare it for entry into the professional football leagues.
By moving its football operations from its current site at The Hive, Harrow, to the new site at Underhill, it hopes to “better engage the club with the area it represents”.
But local residents, united under the banner Save Barnet Playing Fields, claim “the loss of this green space would be a betrayal to the local community”.
They fear the plans would permanently erase vital green space, cause harm to the local environment, and displace grassroots sports users who rely on affordable facilities.
"We are not against football or Barnet FC," a campaign spokesperson said. "But this proposal destroys a cherished public space that serves thousands.”
Barnet Playing Fields are currently used by youth football clubs, cricket teams, exercise groups and schools.
Campaigners say students at Northway Special School in particular, which borders the playing fields, use the site daily, with many benefitting from the large green space.
They believe that replacing this diverse, inclusive space with a commercial stadium would “permanently displace grassroots sport and damage community cohesion”.
“Our campaign to save Barnet Playing Fields is supported by organisations such as Sport England, the FA, CPRE London (Campaign for the Protection of Rural England) and London Playing Fields Foundation,” a spokesperson added.
“They have taken the time to review the proposal properly and speak to residents and agree that the loss of this green space would be a betrayal to the local community and only increase future health, social care, and economic costs to the Council.
“Selling off playing fields for short-term gain is not just misguided—it’s immoral.
“This space contributes millions annually in physical and mental health benefits. Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.”
However, counter-campaigners from Bring Barnet Back have thrown their weight behind Barnet FC’s plans, as they believe it will “contribute to a thriving economy.”
A petition launched by the group has garnered over 2,000 signatures and reads: “Barnet FC is a valuable community asset which has lived at the heart of its community for over 125 years.
“Bringing Barnet home will see the men's, women's and youth teams return back to the borough, while providing the local community with fully funded medical and sporting facilities.”
“The design is ecological and sustainable - taking into account the feedback on the original design from the public consultation and from an online petition regarding the earlier plans,” they added.
“While there is a loss of 0.3% of greenbelt land to the borough, this is mitigated by the ecological stadium design and the benefits to the local economy, identity and ultimately across the community.”
Plans for the Underhill stadium will be considered at a Strategic Planning Committee on Monday, July 14.
Barnet FC has been contacted for comment.
