HARROW could host professional football from 2014 if councillors agree Barnet FC can play first team matches at its Edgware training ground.
A crunch contentious decision on whether Harrow Council should vary the lease of The Hive Football Centre in Camrose Avenue to allow competitive games is to be taken by the authoritys cabinet committee in July.
There is, however, opposition from neighbours on the plans of the club, which plays in the fourth tier of English soccer and only has permission to remain at Barnets Underhill Stadium until the 2013/14 season end.
Shirley Sackwild, of Whitchurch Lane, secretary of Canons Park Residents Association, said: We have had a number of meetings with Barnet FC and the council and we have raised a certain number of objections, to put it mildly. We are quite happy with whats on the site and how they use it, but putting on league matches is a completely different ball game.
We are concerned about the level of parking and traffic that match day crowds can provide.
She said drivers are likely to park in residential streets for free rather than pay the s1 charge to park in The Hive car park.
Neighbours are also worried about a perceived lack of direct public transport links between Barnet and Edgware.
Barnet FC held information drop-in sessions for the public on Friday and Saturday last week and
Adam Goldsmith, communications officer at Barnet FC, said feedback from residents was quite positive.
He said: At The Hive there is over 350 spaces for parking available - the largest number of any football club in London. Its up the council though, and we hope they look favourably on us and we are welcomed into the borough.
We have tried to show how we can contribute both financially and through our community trust.
Harrow Councils portfolio holder for planning and economic development, Councillor Keith Ferry (Labour), said: A final decision to allow Barnet FC to play league football at the ground will not be taken until the cabinet meeting in July.
