Will Wingate move?

"It was something suggested by the previous administration and when we looked at the site it was possible to do something but it needed the land of both the football club and the rugby club to build a stadium of the size we wanted," explained Barnet FC chairman Tony Kleanthous.

"The council then entered into discussions with the football club, but it got no further than that. But it would not have been straightforward because we would have had a lengthy planning process."

In fact, Barnet's Labour-led administration failed in their bid to help the Bees because Wingate demanded a substantial amount of money to help them finance a move of their own and there lay the sticking point.

Wingate chairman Peter Rebak said he would look after the interests of his club and if a suitable offer came in he would consider it but only if it was a commercial offer'.

Despite the council owning the land at Summers Lane, an added problem would be finding an alternative home for the rugby club. And what about the residents: would they be happy with a new stadium on their doorsteps? Probably not.

Wingate and Finchley have a very small stadium. Would there be enough room to house Barnet FC?

Yes. The club looked at a proposal which would see them using the land occupied by both Finchley Rugby Club and Wingate and Finchley FC. Adding the two sites together would give the club just enough room for any such development.

Would there be any obstacles in the way of such a development?

Certainly. Even though the land is owned by the council, part of it falls within the general Metropolitan Open Space (similar to Green Belt) known as the Glebe Lands. It would therefore run into the kind of planning problems that dogged the failed bids for Copthall and south Underhill.

Residents are unlikely to want such a big stadium on their doorsteps and there would be problems finding satisfactory locations for both the football and rugby club, which is likely to prove expensive. A new stadium would also create a substantial amount of traffic and noise, while the narrowness of Summers Lane by Compton School and the residential access to the possible site make it problematic.

Could the club not approach Wingate and the rugby club again to ask if they would consider the possibility of Barnet's relocation?

Yes, but the sticking point would be money and finding an alternative site for both clubs. Barnet FC and the council would have to come up with a relocation package suitable for both clubs, bearing in mind they both have long leases on their current grounds.

Barnet would also have to consider whether it is worth risking another lengthy planning process in light of the problems experienced at south Underhill and Copthall.

Is a new stadium at Wingate and Finchley possible?

Absolutely. If a deal could be struck with Wingate and Finchley FC and Finchley Rugby Club, then the site would have real potential.

But finding alternative sites to both club's satisfaction and placating nearby residents could be a bridge too far.

Moving to Wingate and Finchley FC

Pros:

There is already a football and a rugby stadium on the site so the use of the land would be maintained

A good location for fans, close to the North Circular and A1000 High Road

The stadium would be located in an built-up area

Cons:

Sites would have to be found for the football and the rugby club and both clubs would expect substantial financial compensation owing to the long leases they currently hold

Residential road access and opposition from residents could present Barnet with problems

Part of the land is in Metropolitan Open Space, which is likely to create planning problems

Verdict: there are so many pitfalls in a move to Wingate & Finchley FC that a move is unlikely unless all the parties involved can be satisfied and Barnet are willing to go through another lengthy planning process

August 23, 2002 16:30