West Ham believe they will decide if rivals Tottenham Hotspur can temporarily share the Olympic Stadium, the Guardian understands.

Yesterday the organisation that runs the stadium said it would welcome an approach from Spurs after it emerged the club would have to spend a season away from White Hart Lane due to delays in building a new stadium.

West Ham and Spurs have not commented on the prospect of a groundshare, but it appears the Hammers hierarchy is confident it will decide on any proposal.

A source at Upton Park told the Guardian: “West Ham have primary of use of the stadium, meaning the club would have to grant approval for any other clubs to use the site.”

The source added that, as primary tenant, the stadium would be covered in West Ham branding, making it clear that Spurs would be playing at the home of a rival, rather than sharing a ground.

The source also insisted the Hammers would have priority over fixtures.  

The comments come a day after Dennis Hone, outgoing chief executive of stadium manager, London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC), which manages the Olympic Stadium, said: “If they (Spurs) approached us, we would certainly talk.”

Mr Hone’s comments were made to the London Assembly’s Budget and Performance Committee yesterday.

Committee chair, John Briggs, said: “The Olympic Stadium is a good option for Spurs fans...although West Ham may have something to say about it – but I’m sure it would be possible to come to a ground-sharing agreement.”

Mr Briggs added that the LLDC is looking to generate revenue as its funding is set to be cut.

The delay in building Spurs new stadium has been caused by a legal dispute with a neighbouring business.