SECRET plans to cram 15,000 people inside a rugby stadium have been labelled “mind boggling”.

Allianz Park, in Champions Way, Hendon, is only supposed to hold 10,000 – but a decision to increase this for the European Championship Quarter final match have been met with anger.

Saracens are due to go up against Northampton Saints on April 9 and the game is expected to attract thousands of people.

But Conservative councillor Sury Khatri, who was told about the plans in a letter, is furious about the lack of consultation and planning permission.

He said: “It feels like they are going behind everyone’s backs because nobody has been given a heads up about this. I do not think there is any intention to inform residents.

“I was surprised to have been advised of this at the 11th hour when officers seem to have been in discussion with Saracens for some time and have agreed to this. It is mind boggling.

“It flies in the face of normal processes because anyone else would have had to apply for planning permission.

“Saracens is a big fish and holders are a small fry. It is one law for them and one law for others.”

He is calling for Barnet Council to tell Saracens to hold off selling tickets for the match until the matter is resolved. The original planning permission granted a set limit of 10,000 people – but Saracens have now been given written approval to breach the council’s own conditions.

Cllr Khatri, who represents Mill Hill for the ruling Tory party, says it will put increased pressure on parking and traffic in the area.

Cllr Khatri said talks to increase the stadium’s capacity were held in 2013 but he resisted and the proposals were dropped.

He added: “I would not be doing justice to residents’ faith placed in me if I did not take up this baton on their behalf and oppose it.

“I am bringing this out in the public forum and have spoken to a few people who have agreed to assist me, so officers can learn and be informed of the strong feeling of opposition to this.

I am will be urging all residents to support me to strongly resist this new development and that this is nipped in the bud once and for all.”

In a statement, Allianz Park: "Saracens tremendous success on the pitch so far this season has resulted in the club securing a home quarter final in the European Rugby Champions Cup.

"The competition regulations state that the minimum capacity of a European Rugby Champions Cup quarter final is 15,000 and Saracens are delighted that Barnet Council and local stakeholder groups have been so supportive in helping to ensure that this one off 15,000 capacity match can be played at Allianz Park and in Barnet. 

"Saracens only requires an increase to its current 10,000 capacity for this one off European Rugby Champions Cup quarter final and is confident that it will be delivered sensitively and safely and with minimal disruption to the local community.

"Saracens will be working closely with Barnet Council officers and local stakeholder groups to ensure that we deliver an event that the local community can be proud of."

Chairman of the Mill Hill Residents Assocation, Richard Logue, was also disappointed at the lack of consultation.

He said the group was e-mailed about plans for a new school in Mill Hill – but failed to mention the stadiums plans.

Mr Logue, who is a season ticket holder at Saracens, feels things should have been handled “differently”.

He added: “Why have they kept us completely in the dark? What’s wrong with them going to through the proper planning process and going out in the open?

“It seems they have done this quietly, through the back door. Had they gone through the proper process, it would have been easier for them to get permission. 

“They are effectively happy to share some information, but not others. They have decided not everything should be out in the open – that is unacceptable.

“They should have involved the elected councillors, who are elected to represent the community. Sadly things would be different if they’d just done it properly.”

Councillor Richard Cornelius, leader of Barnet Council, said: “We can all celebrate Saracens getting through to the quarter finals of the European championships. They want to play in their ground. Any full planning decision to allow the expansion of the seating to the required level on a once a year basis would take ages and would certainly need very extensive consultation. 

“In this very special case the council has used its discretionary powers to allow a one off exception to expand the capacity  to 15,000.

“The impact of this one day facility will show us all if the traffic issues can really be controlled. Full safety measures to protect the fans will be rigidly enforced.”