The chairman of Barnet Football Club says he hopes a planning inquiry will provide a "fair hearing" for changes to the club's Hive stadium.

The comments come after the club announced it would appeal against Harrow Borough Council planning committee's decision to reject its proposals for the Hive stadium.

The club faced having to demolish its new west stand and remove floodlights after the authority issued an enforcement notice.

Speaking to the Harrow Times, Barnet FC chairman Tony Kleanthous said: "This whole process has been very frustrating for us as a club.

“Our planning hearing was delayed time and time again and I was in a position where I had to finish the site so we could play on it in time.

“I think people are playing party politics with the stadium and stirring up the feelings of residents when we are trying to provide facilities not only for us, but the whole community.

“We were left with a ridiculous planning decision where politicians were scoring points off us.

“We are appealing the decision because we want a chance to be heard and our case to be given a fair hearing without the politics.”

Mr Kleanthous says the club increased the height of the lights to prevent excess light shining into nearby houses, and seats from one stand were transferred to another.

Harrow East MP Bob Blackman, who has raised a number of concerns about the Hive, said: “I find it quite strange Barnet FC are appealing against the decision of the planning committee to protect the residents who are being affected by The Hive's blatant flouting of its original planning permission.

“They should accept responsibility for their errors and act to reduce the size and height of the west stand and the floodlights to the level approved under the planning permission granted.

“Barnet FC have tried to avoid the planning rules to the detriment of residents.”

Harrow Council cabinet member for planning Cllr Stephen Greek said:“We have been notified that Barnet FC has appealed to the Planning Inspectorate against the enforcement notice we recently served.

"It is now up to an independent planning inspector to make a decision on this case. A public inquiry is expected to be held within the next year and Harrow Council will robustly defend its case.”

Notification of the appeal will be sent to the Planning Inspectorate and date for a public enquiry will be set soon.