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Arsenal may have to stop supporters visiting the Emirates Stadium by coach after planning chiefs refused them permission to use residential streets to park the vehicles.
The club has been using a leisure centre and two streets near the stadium in Holloway to park up to 50 coaches for the past three years, applying to Islington council for temporary permission each season.
But now the council has turned down the application, criticising Arsenal for failing to find a permanent solution to the problem and labelling the club "short-sighted" and "selfish".
Difficulties began when Arsenal were told by the Met police that they should not use the stadium's underground parking for coaches because of the increased risk of terrorist attacks.
Instead, coaches were parked on a development site owned by the club in Queensland Road, which is to become a residential complex and sports centre; at the Sobell Leisure Centre; and in Hornsey Street and Drayton Park.
In the past around 30 coaches were parked at the Queensland Road site on match days. But in its planning application to develop the land, no provision was made by Arsenal for coach parking space.
In response, Islington council demanded at least 18 coach spaces, while last week Arsenal FC told a planning committee the maximum available would be 14.
Residents fear it will mean even more coaches being parked in their streets as a result.
Phil Kelly, chairman of Islington's east area planning committee, said they had got "fed up" with the club's inability to sort out suitable parking facilities. "We were just fed up of giving annual temporary permission," he said.
"Arsenal have been short-sighted and selfish. They will have to stop supporters coming in coaches to games - their own supporters and away supporters."
Arsenal were set to appeal the council's decision at a meeting with the planning inspectorate today.
Reader views (5)
I live near this stadium, and to say that traffic on match days is a nightmare is an understatement. Its about time they spent a bit of money sorting it all out.
- Daniel, Watford, 28/07/2009 15:46
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Why don't Arsenal's fans travel to games by tube? Oops silly me, I completely forgot how useless the access is to the all the nearest underground stations both before and after games.
The fact remains that planning approval was given to Arsenal FC to relocate on the grounds that access to the local tube stations would be improved. They seem to be in breach of that.
- Blue Baby, London, 28/07/2009 15:38
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Surely Islington council could suggest areas for coach parking, they must know their own land area ?
- Geez, Bexhill, UK, 28/07/2009 13:51
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This is typical of Islington's totally incompetent planning department.
- J, London, 28/07/2009 13:38
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There are many schools offering parking in their playgrounds on match days. Could the stadium not come up with an arrangement with one of those, instead of using crowded residential streets? That way, residents are happy and so are the schools at making extra cash.
- Smb, London, UK, 28/07/2009 13:05
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