A contentious sports hub could be set for a major overhaul, as it seeks to increase community access and improve its facilities for young people.

Tomorrow, Harrow Council’s planning committee will vote on the proposed changes to The Hive, in Camrose Avenue – the home of Barnet Football Club.

The plans, which have been put forward by the Hive Foundation, include a new indoor academy building, an indoor sports hall and new 3G pitches.

A permanent academy stand, ticket office and club shop, as well as food and toilet cabins, have also been suggested.

There have been objections to the proposals, with some neighbours noting the inevitable increase in traffic and pollution.

They also criticised the size of the new stand and buildings, which will infringe on open space, and questioned the need for such a development given the status of Barnet’s youth teams.

But planning officers argued that the benefits of these “extensive new sports facilities” outweigh such concerns.

They also cited the community access scheme, which will give ‘selected groups’, such as local schools, those over 50, ethnic minorities, women and those with disabilities, priority bookings at certain times.

The application, therefore, has been recommended for approval.