The Premiership rugby union club plans to replace its ageing West Stand with a modern development which would consolidate and enhance the provision of community, education and sporting facilities at the stadium. 

Saracens’ home ground is currently a multi-use community arena and the Premiership side hopes the new stand will improve facilities for all sports as well as additional space for Middlesex University’s London Sports Institute. 

However, as Allianz Park is situated within the green belt, the application will be referred to the Greater London Authority, where Saracens hopes to receive approval from the London mayor Sadiq Khan in the near future.

Heath Harvey, chief executive of Saracens, said it was looking forward to the next stage of the process.

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“We are naturally delighted with the decision made by Barnet Council. 

“Our planning application was incredibly thorough and considered all the feedback we had received in the months leading up to [26th April 2017]. 

“We will continue to work as an active part of the local community, working in partnership as we continue to improve Allianz Park and maximise its positive impact on our community.”

The new stand will increase the stadium’s maximum permanent capacity to 10,500 (currently 10,000) and plans also include a proposal for one of the 16 Saracens home matches to accommodate a one-off annual game where the capacity can be temporarily increased to 15,000. 

Work is anticipated to begin later this year with completion anticipated for autumn 2018.