The editorial comment in this week's Times group newspapers gives full support to the planning application submitted by Barnet FC for redevelopment at Underhill to meet Football League criteria in the coming months.

 

"The plans should be warmly greeted", says the editorial, which is headed 'Back the Bees'.

 

"Granting approval to the planning application would hopefully ensure the Bees have a secure future at Underhill, at least for the next five years. It can only be hoped that the work is given the go-ahead and brings good forture for the club, both on and off the pitch".

 

The plans, delivered to the council on Monday, calls for stands at the North and South ends of the ground, new floodlights and improved facilities for the disabled. Barnet FC have offered to buy some adjoining houses in Westcombe Drive to help the development.

 

The Times lead their paper with a front page headline story "Stadium revamp - Bees to 'secure future' with £7m plan", with reporter Marcus Dysch explaining that the redevelopment would cost £3m and an extra £4m on purchasing the Westcombe Drive houses.

 

The paper refers to an improved relationship between the club and Barnet Council since Councillor Mike Freer took over as leader. Keith Doe, chairman of Barnet FC Supporters' Association said that he was unsure whether or not the redevelopment would secure the club's long term future, but agreed that it would make Underhill a more pleasant stadium to visit.

 

He is quoted as saying: "It will be lovely. It will give us a ground that will look better than at the moment and have better facilities for disabled and away fans.

 

"All I want is to see something that will give the club a long term future. Anything that improves our current status has to be a good thing".

 

As Barnet FC prepares to celebrate the 100th anniversary of football at Underhill the planners at the town hall have to decide whether to back an application for what the Times calls a revamp.