The saga over planning issues at The Hive will be the subject of a public inquiry, Harrow Council has confirmed.

The authority refused an application made by Barnet FC, which is based at the stadium, for planning permission on September 3 to authorise amendments to a 2008 planning application for the ground in Camrose Avenue, Edgware. 

Dates have now been set for a three-day public inquiry beginning June 10.

The issue dates back to 2008 when, in order to finish the stadium, the club was given planning permission but the work did not match up to the allowed dimensions with regard to the size of the west stand and floodlights.

Tony Kleanthous, chairman of the football club, told the Observer: "These modifications [to the floodlights and West stand] we made were to meet new guidelines and improve the accommodation for the supporters and reduce the impact for the residents, and are now the subject of a planning inquiry that will cost the council and Hive a six figure sum, which will cost the community.

"It is the craziest situation I have ever seen."

Harrow Council served Barnet with an enforcement notice, which the club has since appealed against. See our website for club’s response on this.