Saracens granted permission to build £20m new stand at Allianz Park

Saracens have been given planning permission to build a new £20million stand at Allianz Park.The club plan to replace the ageing West Stand next year but the overall capacity of the ground will not significantly increase, only rising by 500 to 10,500.Chairman Nigel Wray and the club’s part-owner, Johann Rupert, will fund the upgrade following the £20m they put together to build the East Stand. There is provision for the capacity to be increased in the temporary stands at each end of the ground, allowing 15,000 fans for one major match each season.Barnet Council last night approved the application, with the improvement aimed at delivering “enhanced community, education and sporting facilities”. The stadium is also home to Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers athletic club.As Allianz Park is situated within the Green Belt, the application will now be considered by the Greater London Authority.It is anticipated that building work will begin later this year and be completed in autumn next year.