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.
When submitting its plans in December 2024, the club, which was in the National League, said the stadium would help prepare it for entry into the professional football leagues. It has since been promoted to EFL League Two.
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.
Daniel Martin, Chief Communications Officer, Barnet Football Club said: “We are confident that the majority of the local community want the Club to be brought back home after over 10 years in exile from the Borough of Barnet. We have worked with the Council for years to try and identify a site for a new stadium in Barnet, and Underhill is the only realistic option. Because of our historic connection to the area (over 100 years at its former Underhill home), it is also the most appropriate location.
“The proposed stadium footprint will only build on 22% of Barnet Playing Fields, which accounts for 0.1% of the Borough’s Green Belt. There’s no deficiency of open space in the area. In any case, Barnet Council want to build a 14,000 square foot Destination Sports Hub on the same site.
“This Sports Hub can be well accommodated within the proposed north stand of the stadium, without increasing the overall footprint. We’ve included this in our outline application, so the Council are aware of the opportunity to deliver the Sports Hub without using limited public funds.
“From an environmental perspective, moving back to Barnet means supporters don’t have to drive on a matchday.
“We know that approximately 70% of our supporters drive from Barnet to the current stadium in Harrow and then back home again.
“New Underhill is a very sustainable location near the supporter base. Surveys show that nearly 90% of our supporters would walk or use public transport to get to the new stadium. This will lead to a reduction in traffic and pollution. Furthermore, our development will in fact deliver 128 new trees, a 77% increase in hedgerows and improve the biodiversity of the site by over 14%.
“The Barnet FC Foundation is specifically designed to encourage grassroots sports and currently runs loads of community programmes for kids and adults of all ages throughout the Boroughs of both Harrow and Barnet.
“The proposed stadium will allow the Foundation to reach even more children and adults. Barnet Council recognise that the space is currently underused as a sports facility and no formal sport is played on it.
“Finally, relocating the Club will deliver £2.8m of new spending from supporters to Barnet High Street and our application is supported by the Barnet Residents Association and Love Barnet (who promote the local High Street in Barnet and the surrounding area).”
