Harrow Borough Council has issued Barnet FC with an enforcement notice over its stadium at the Hive.

The notice, issued by new cabinet member for planning Councillor Stephen Greek, is in regards to the Edgware stadium's floodlights and west stand being built outside specifications agreed by the council.

When the notice takes effect, the club will have six months to demolish the stand and three months to remove the lights at the Camrose Avenue ground, or risk facing prosecution.

Cllr Greek said: “If a developer fails to get planning permission for a structure, then it is only right and fair that we should ask them to remove it.

“This is an important issue for many residents and it is vital that the council takes the necessary and appropriate action.”

The decision comes after the council’s planning committee rejected plans from the club for amendments to the stadium earlier this month.

The notice has been welcomed by MP Bob Blackman, who has been fighting the development on behalf of people living near the site.

The representative for Harrow East said: “I congratulate Cllr Stephen Greek for taking this strong stance against the blatant flouting of the planning agreement which Barnet Football Club signed up to.

“Until now, Barnet FC have been allowed to play fast and loose with Harrow Council, by Harrow Council.

“At the public meeting which I called in June, one of the key demands I received from residents was that any rejection of planning proposals had to be followed up by enforcement.

“This finally brings some desperately-needed decisive action to the entire Hive saga and will undoubtedly be welcomed by local residents, who have been lumbered with a football ground far beyond that to which anyone agreed.

“The deadlines set are firm but fair in my opinion; hopefully Barnet FC will also see it this way and that this as a lesson learnt.”

The notice will take effect 28 days after it was issued by the council, which was on September 27.

However Barnet FC are still able to appeal the decision made by the council at the planning meeting on September 3.

The Harrow Times has contacted Barnet FC about the council notice and is awaiting a reply.