A FOOTBALL stadium has been nominated for the Harrow Heritage Trust and Harrow Observer Architectural and Environmental Awards 2014.
Launched only last week, the awards celebrate the highest design standards and give public recognition to projects large or small that have enhanced the area in which they stand.
Buildings or projects completed within the last two years are eligible for consideration just like one of the first entries: The Hive, in Camrose Avenue, Edgware.
Home to Barnet FC, the 5,176-capacity stadium has been submitted for inclusion by a mystery reader who is also possibly a fan of the Conference Premier side famed for their gold and black kit.
Chairman of Barnet FC, Anthony Kleanthous, said: “We are really pleased to be nominated.
“It is an internationally recognised training centre, we have had teams from Brazil, Chile, Denmark and all over.
“Officials from the Olympics used it as a base and a training ground, and we are very proud of it.
“It is really environmentally friendly: the main facility is powered by solar panels and it is a multipurpose venue which has added great value to the local community by providing sport facilities.”
The stadium, which boasts banqueting, conferencing and fitness facilities, is actually the subject of a three-day public inquiry beginning at Harrow Civic Centre in Station Road, Harrow, on June 10.
Harrow Council refused in September an application from the club for retrospective planning permission to authorise amendments made to the complex that saw the west stand floodlights exceed their permitted dimensions.
The inquiry will jointly hear the club’s appeal to the Planning Inspectorate and its appeal against the council’s enforcement notice stipulating the demolition of the stand and floodlights.
Evidently, the uncertain legality of the venue - which also counts London Broncos RFC and The London Bees women’s team as tenants - did not put the anonymous proposer off from suggesting it for the award.
He or she wrote: “The Hive is a multipurpose venue which has added great value to the local community by providing sport facilities on a site that otherwise would have been left derelict.
“The site that has been created to looks to give back to its community via the facilities it offers and moreover with the three sports teams that play at The Hive.”
The winner of the biennial Harrow Heritage Trust and Harrow Observer Architectural and Environmental Awards 2014 receives a plaque and the judges will also give out commendations.
Retired architect and town planner, Baj Mathur, one of the judges, said: “I have been part of the awards since it started andI am really looking forward to this year.
“I am looking for something brilliant, either an old building that has been renovated or a brand new one.”
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