Saracens celebrate winning the Aviva Premiership final in May

Saracens has revised its application to refurbish the Barnet Copthall stadium following a six-month consultation with residents, supporters, statutory bodies and other stakeholders. The improved proposals have been submitted to the London Borough of Barnet and full details of the changes are being made available to local residents.

Nigel Wray, chairman and Barnet resident, said: “We have listened and we have learned, and we are now putting forward an even better version of what I believe is a really exciting plan to create a unique community sports hub in the heart of north London, offering fantastic lasting benefits to tens of thousands of people, and minimising disruption to residents.”

The key elements of the revised application are:

• A new transport plan that reduces the percentage of supporters travelling by car to 36%;

• A match-day coach service from the Hertfordshire towns, offering a seamless services on six routes to and from Copthall;

• A regular double-decker match-day shuttle service on the 221 route, connecting Edgware, Mill Hill Broadway and Mill Hill East stations to the stadium;

• The provision of various match day parking schemes, to be determined by local residents;

• A modified design, featuring wood, trees and greenery, softening the visual impact of the new East stand;

• An integrated management plan, ensuring the refurbished stadium serves as a catalyst for more effective use of the entire Copthall site;

Wray continued: “Our basic concept remains the same – to invest in the creation of a compact, well-equipped stadium to be used for community sport on 340 days of the year, club and elite athletics and a maximum 16 days of Premiership rugby. These revisions relate to design, transport and enhancing leisure facilities, a key function of the Green Belt.

“We have consulted with many groups and organisations, among others the Greater London Authority, Transport for London, local schools and community organisations, and Mill Hill Preservation Society and we have hosted more than 15 public meetings throughout the Borough.

“The revisions to the plans cost money, and the Saracens shareholders’ investment will rise beyond £16m, but we are determined to advocate proposals that enjoy widespread public support, that creates a home for the award-winning Saracens foundation and a genuine community asset, and that enables our club’s return home to the heart of north London.”

The revised plans can be seen at www.copthallrevival.co.uk. Alternatively, please call 0845 602 8194 or e-mail copthallrevival@gka.co.uk for further information.