Barnet FC will contest a council demand to demolish a stand and floodlights at its Edgware home ground that were built higher than allowed.

The Skrill Premier Club saw through planning permission granted in 2008 in order to finish the stadium at The Hive Football Centre in Camrose Avenue but it exceeded the dimensions when it constructed the west stand and floodlights.

Harrow Council's planning committee refused on September 3 retrospective planning permission to authorise the larger buildings and on Friday the Conservative-run authority served the club with an enforcement notice.

Barnet FC, nicknamed The Bees, will have six months to demolish the stand, and three months to remove the floodlights, or risk facing prosecution.

The club said in a statement: "There has been considerable speculation today about the possible demolition of the West Stand at The Hive and of the floodlights.

"Barnet FC wishes to put the minds of its supporters at rest by stating that the club intends to lodge an appeal against the decision that has prompted this speculation and furthermore should the appeal go against The Hive there are simple remedies available in terms of restructuring the stand and the floodlights that in no way compromise the future of the club.

"It is The Hive that intends to appeal against the decision of Harrow Council to refuse planning permission to increase the height of their floodlights and new West Stand.

"The Hive West Stand was increased in height when it was discovered that a few hundred spectators on the East Stand opposite, for which The Hive already had approval, had to be relocated in order to meet new guidelines on spectator sight lines. The Council were aware of this change and officers supported this minor amendment at a recent planning meeting."

The statement said the club decided to increase the height of the floodlight masts by 10m at a cost of £30,000 in order to create steeper angle for the lights so as to minimise the spillage for neighbouring properties.

Harrow Council's cabinet member for planning Councillor Stephen Greek (Conservative) said: “If a developer fails to get planning permission for a structure, then it is only right and fair that we should ask them to remove it.

“This is an important issue for many residents and it is vital that the council takes the necessary and appropriate action.”

The enforcement notice was issued on Friday and will take effect on November 1 unless , as the club have indicated it will do, an appeal is submitted.

Barnet FC relocated to The Hive Football Centre, formerly only its training facility, for the start of this season after negotiations between the club and Barnet Council broke down over former home Underhill Stadium in Barnet.

If the club does raze the west stand, it could fall foul of the Football Association's Ground Grading guide for the Football Conference division, which does allow a club to have stands on three sides of the pitch, but only if the capacity of the stadium exceeds 4,000 spectators.

However, The Hive's west stand is the ground's largest at 2,684 and its removal would take stadium capacity below the mandated threshold. Furthermore, the Ground Grading guide requires clubs to have floodlights.

The club  had six months from September 11, the date it received written notification of the committee's decision, to appeal the refusal of planning permission.