Will the Walthamstow greyhound stadium be revived?
Save Our Stow leader Ricky Holloway and representatives were finally given the opportunity to meet with the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, to discuss the new proposals for the Walthamstow Stadium.
The group emerged from the meeting on Wednesday claiming that there is light at the end of the tunnel and that the dream of rescuing the famous old track from the clutches of current owners London & Quadrant was drawing ever nearer.
Holloway confirmed that an interested greyhound racing operator is set to submit an application to revive the legendary stadium and to completely transform it into a mixed-use development for racing and housing development.
Nick Budimir and West Ham United co-owner David Sullivan also remain in the frame of potential buyers or at least among those having a stake in the ownership if it’s decided to form a group. The new party that has shown interest was not named but we have been told that they are a large restaurant company, an overseas investor and a bookmaker.
London & Quadrant are the current owners of the site and originally had plans to demolish the greyhound track, as they feel the business is not viable. Planning permission to build a total of 490 homes was rejected earlier this year and as a result L&Q parted ways with commercial partners Yoo Capital.
The plans the SOS propose include a track and a total of 120 houses, which is 370 fewer than the designs L&Q consulted the public on.
Holloway said: "I think the plans are in keeping with what local residents said they wanted when we spoke to them. They said they wanted it to provide jobs and help the local economy.
"It is also not a massive housing estate, so it wouldn't put so much pressure on hospitals and schools nearby.
"This is the most sensible way forward and we call on L&Q to act responsibly and sensibly."
An L&Q spokesperson said: "We haven’t received any offer to lease or purchase the site and in the meantime our plans for the development continue apace.
"We remain open to discussion and have maintained a constant and transparent dialogue with all who have a stake in the future of the area. But unsubstantiated speculation simply distracts from what is at the heart of this debate: ensuring the people of Waltham Forest have access to much needed modern, affordable housing."
The SOS certainly have the support and if their facts are concrete about potential buyers, then the industry could finally be hit with some good news after all, with the revival of the Walthamstow stadium.
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