THE BEES are biting back after being dealt a blow over The Hive as the chairman of Barnet FC labelled the planning process ‘a circus’.

The club’s application for modifications to the ground in Camrose Avenue, Edgware, was thrown out by a planning committee last week, however, club chairman Anthony Kleanthous told the Observer in an exclusive interview that he was ready to fight what he claims is an unfair campaign against the club.

“Due to local politics the application was not heard in June,” he said. “It was not heard in July, it was not heard in August. In the meantime we have had to no choice but to continue with our project.

“I am shocked that people have made this into a show – it’s a circus. But I get a feeling that the residents of Harrow will see through all of this and we will do everything we can to help them.”

The football club has suffered several set backs since taking its first team football to the ground, formerly known as Prince Edwards Playing Fields, in July.

The club had been relying on planning permission granted in 2008 for the ground, but lodged a retrospective application for a number of adjustments that had been made since 2008, including increasing the height of the floodlights and creating the 2,700-seat West Stand.

Labour’s Queensbury ward councillor Sachin Shah has been campaigning against Barnet’s stay, claiming it is causing disputation to neighbours.

Mr Kleanthous said: “Planning is supposed to be non-political.

“I am particularly disappointed by the grandstanding of Sachin Shah in all of this.

“They are misleading their own residents.

“All we can do is carry on running our facilities as best we can for the community and make it work the best way possible.”

Chairman of the planning committee Councillor William Stoodley (Independent Labour) assured the Observer that planning decisions are made solely on planning laws and what is presented to the committee.

Mr Kleanthous is preparing to appeal the decision.

“We have no other option,” he said. “We need to pursue this because we know that we have done nothing wrong.”

A tug of war between the club and Barnet Council over lease issues at Underhill Stadium led to Barnet FC’s decision to move to Harrow.

Former Mayor of Barnet, Conservative Councillor Brian Coleman tweeted after the planning meeting last week that ‘history repeats itself’ and that it was time Barnet FC ‘accepted they are not wanted’ across North London, suggesting they move to Hertfordshire.