Saracens RFC CPZ in Mill Hill - The lie that conned a community

I was not particularly an opponent of the Saracens proposal for Copthall Stadium. The stadium was derelict and needed investment and whilst I felt Barnet Football Club should have been given first refusal as they are local and well established, I felt that Saracens was probably the best option likely with our totally anti football council. I have now changed my opinion. The reason? I hate it when we are lied to and conned into supporting proposals on false pretences.

When the plans for a huge CPZ, covering over 3/4 of Mill Hill was announced, I was shocked. Even more so by the totally oppresive timings of this from 1pm to 6pm on match days, even though Rugby matches last 80 minutes. The truth is that Saracens RFC distributed a leaflet throughout Mill Hill claiming that there was no need for a CPZ. It said that the council didn't want one, the police didn't want one and they didn't want one. This is the biggest porkie that has been told in Mill Hill.

If Saracens cannot conduct their business without telling the truth, then as far as I'm concerned they are not welcome in my neighbourhood. I will be writing to the council, to demand that they annul the planning permission, as it is clear that local people were mislead. If the CPZ had been explained properly, then the local opposition would have been overwhelming.

Here is Saracens own leaflet. How does it feel to have been conned? This leaflet was distributed all around Mill Hill prior to the planning hearing. Check point no 2 it says "The truth is .... nobody believes a controlled parking zone is required, not the council, not the police and not Saracens. It is not on the agenda because we believe the match day travel plan will work." It is now clear that the Police, the Council and Saracens believe it won't. If this is the case, the surely the planning permission is invalid as this was based on the fact that the plan was robust. Or like everything in "One Barnet", will private companies tell a stack of porkies to get their way and then shaft us. It is sad to see the local papers have said nothing. Is this because they expect hufe advertising revenues from Saracens? I can think of no other explanation.

Saracens Stadium : The Tories, John Hart, Brian Coleman and the big Tory lie

Exactly a year ago today, I was about to find out that I'd failed in my bid to become a Barnet Councillor in Mill Hill ward.  The jubilant Tory victor, John Hart gloatingly told me that "You know the leaflet about Kentish Town FC at Copthall got us 1,000 votes". Basically the Tories had distributed a leaflet claiming that local Lib Dems (who at the time had 6 out of 63 councillors) were planning a massive stadium for Kentish Town FC (average gate 27 people) at Copthall. This scare tactic worked. It was a complete load of bollocks, but as it won John Hart and his two Tories the seats, he thought it was a jolly ruse.

Here is a scare story planted by the Tories in the press before the election
http://www.times-series.co.uk/your_local_areas/edgwarenews/5066966.Stadium_fears_for_playing_fields_site/

What Hart told no one was that the local Tories were planning a 10,000 seat Rugby stadium for Saracens there. Local residents are outraged and many have told me that the Tories have breached their trust for good. This is why Matthew Offord and Brian Coleman now are pretending to be against the proposal. They both know that the 1,000 votes they won from the Lib Dems would see them out on their ear. In Colemans case, he stands for the GLA next year, just as the Rugby stadium would be opening.

 This is why they both announced a sudden conversion to the cause of the local opponents, as detailed on the Times website today.

http://www.times-series.co.uk/news/9006454.Two_Tories_oppose_Saracens_Copthall_plans/

Strangely for someone who is keen to fleece CPZ residents throughout the rest of the Borough, Coleman has denied plans at Copthall, could this again be due to the GLA elections next year. Rather like the Saracens Stadium, I wonder what nasty shock will greet us if he gets re-elected?

The truth is that if the local Tory regime, which these two are senior members of, wanted to stop the stadium, they would. Coleman has already made his position on CPZ's well known

These two are purely shouting to save their skins. Please don't be fooled by their posturing.