The Facts (from the Land Registry at least)

So I bit the bullet and paid £3 for the Land Reg title of the freehold of the ground (SYK410924). It last swapped hands to Oakwell community assets ltd in Nov 2007 as title absolute. It also says in the charges register (where covenants are placed) that the land in that conveyance was affected by a conveyance of 14.11.1907 between a. Guy Francis Senior and others and b. Barnsley Football Club limited which contained restrictive covenants. The title doesnt state what these are, but their existence has been flagged for a potential purchaser to look into
The point being if I can find these with a £3 check of public info then so could the new owners' Solicitors
BUT....curiously...... I did a plan search within 5 meters of the stadium and it flagged up another title: "Land at Barnsley" under title SYK656162. A further £3 reveals this is a title qualified (meaning pre-existing rights are reserved) and has registered what looks like mineral rights (including getting at them) created 08.12.2017 reserving such estate rights as existed prior to 08.12.2017. The owner is Hardrof limited (incorporated 2014) c/o a Newcastle solicitor but companies house shows the Directors to be Christopher David Harrison and Cathrine Harrison of an office in Sollihul. (I've no idea) Cant tell over what this land relates to because no plan has been placed on Land Reg though the title refers to one.Odd coincidence on the date, Lee and co became directors of BFC on 19.12.2017
So...they are the facts, make of them what you will. Gally, does that help if you ask more questions???
Perhaps someone thinks Oakwell is sat on vast gold or oil deposits. Perhaps that's why the new owners got an option to buy but have found someone beat them to it.! Anyway, I'm off to bed, up early tomorrow, going down the back of the East Stand with my shovel

 

I like your detective work.

The statement released from the club alludes to the fact that a ‘recent approach’ has been made by a third party to enforce a right to purchase Oakwell. Lots appear to be mistaking this for the fact that a covenant simply exists. It’s unclear how ‘recent’ this actually is.

Prior to your investigatory work there was nothing out there to suggest who has sought this option to purchase and why. Perhaps this Hardrof Ltd has something to do with it?

 

https://suite.endole.co.uk/insight/company/08878236-hardrof-limited

Bit more info hope link works

 

It's too much to take in. My Dad's been telling me for years that anyone who owns Barnsley football club just wants the land. Land more valuable than the club etc. I'm starting to believe him.

Where you have coal you have diamonds. Makes you wonder why all these old pit sites aren't totally redeveloped and shafts are just sealed and not built on.

 

2 things, what is "the stadium" is it the pitch and stands or the furthest corner of the car park to the furthest corner of the training ground and this 5m thing could this be a "ransom strip" ie, you may own that but you aint crossing my land toget to it ?

 

When I first started supporting the Club in 1988, one of the Directors under the Chairmanship of John Dennis,
was Chris Harrison who was co-owner of Building Materials Barnsley on Wakefield Road. He was on the board
right up to the point that we entered administration.

Wonder if he's the Christopher David Harrison of Hardrof Limited.? Last saw Chris in Sainsburys Ings Road
Wakefield, around four years ago.
https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/08878236/officers

 

You could be onto something there. But his middle name isn’t David and he is now a season ticket Holder on The Ponty.

 

Thanks for taking the time (and spending the £6) to get this

 

That would make sense

 

Yes thank you.

 

If you go on Companies House the significant person section have both people listed as a Lord and Lady.

 

https://hardrof.com/faqs.html

 

So to be clear, this land that was registered in December 2017 had already been owned? So still would have shown up if it had been looked into a year earlier say?

 

According to the Hardrof website mineral rights might not show up on a search and should not affect the value or resale of a property.

 

So this Christopher David Harrison was born in 1954.

 

Who do not exist!! Try a separate search... IF he is a 'lord' there would be other references in Google etc so I smell a rat! The only reference to that name relates to the Companies register

EDIT:
Found a Lord David Harrison in Racing Post listings ... A horse owner currently without any horses!!

 

No mention of Lord or Lady in the company accounts.

 

and yet as per Donny Reds link which you have already commented on..

https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/08878236/officers

It seems strange that you can register with companies house with a false name/title !! Sounds very dodgy..

 

The other 5 significant land interests within 5m of the stadium are:

1) The old school land. That had housing planned originally. NB the school was demolished maybe late 2017 due to arson attacks.

2) The allotment/overgrown area of land behind the North Stand (the bit between the training ground and the Peel retail park.

3) Beevor Court Offices (I think BMBC owned).

4) The Metrodome (BMBC owned).

5) The newish housing estate at the bottom of the Ponty End car park.

If it doesn’t relate to land actually part of the club, I suspect it links to 1 or 2.