Harrow Borough Council says its deferral of planning decision on Barnet FC’s stadium at the Hive does not affect the club playing home matches.

The comments come after Bob Blackman MP called for clarification over the planning situation at the site after decision on the stadium was deferred at a planning meeting last week due to a mistake by officers.

Councillors were advised to postpone the decision after it was found officers had not carried out a key part of the planning process, to establish whether or not an environmental impact assessment was required.

Stephen Kelly, Harrow Council’s divisional director for planning, said: “The decision of the planning committee does not affect Barnet FC’s right to play football at The Hive.

“Barnet FC were granted a lease in 2010 which allows them to play football matches at the site without further modification.

“The decision to defer the planning application means that in playing matches at the site, Barnet FC may use parts of the ground that are currently the subject of the planning application and for which planning permission has not been granted.

“Should the council determine that the use of these elements – notably the west stand and floodlights - give rise to unacceptable harm, it may choose to use its planning enforcement powers to prevent use of the unauthorised developments.

“This could not extend to preventing the use of the site, or the use of the stadium for football events which already benefits from planning permission.

“Ultimately, it will be for the planning committee to form a view on the merits of the current application. A decision is expected in September on the current application.”