A compromise has been reached that is acceptable to Sport England based on a 9-a-side football pitch, not a 7-a-side football pitch, as was in its proposal .. there need not be a Public Inquiry, and also that the regeneration of the park could take place … allowing the Council to bring forward plans to provide a community hub building …

In an extraordinary move, the Secretary of State has ‘called in’ Islington Council’s planning application for regeneration of Barnard Park, taking the decision as to development of the park out of local control.