Sporting facilities promised as part of the controversial development of the Waltham Stadium site have been scrapped, it has emerged. 

Developer London & Quadrant were set to build a 15m climbing wall within the main grade-II listed tote building and a BMX and skateboard deck on the upper deck of the car park as part of its housing plan, in acknowledgement of the stadium's sporting heritage. 

Building is well underway at the historic former greyhound track in Chingford Road, where 294 new homes of mixed residential use are being erected alongside a nursery, crèche and pocket allotments. 

As part of the development project, £3.8million was set aside as a condition of planning approval to improve local leisure, education, health and transport facilities, with £1.75 earmarked for the renovation of Walthamstow's Pool & Track. 

Conservative councillors Millie Balkan, Bernadette Mill and John Moss, who represent Larkswood ward, met recently with developers L&Q to get an update on the works.  

They were told the climbing wall and BMX/skateboard deck will no longer be included in the redevelopment of Walthamstow Stadium. 

Cllr John Moss, said: "Instead cash contributions will go to help fund the controversial redevelopment of Walthamstow Pool & Track.

"This is shocking. Replacement leisure facilities were promised as part of the Stadium project and were one of the few things positive that this scheme offered to south Chingford. 

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Building work underway at Walthamstow Stadium

"Now they have been removed in a back-room stitch up by the council. 

"This development is the largest single contributor to S106 funds in Waltham Forest and they are supposed to be used locally to offset the consequences of development. Once again it is Chingford which is paying and Walthamstow which is benefitting."

In response, a spokeswoman for L&Q said: "We are working hard to create high quality new homes and facilities for local people at the Walthamstow Stadium site, and are meeting the obligations of the S106 agreement as directed by the council."

However, the council insist the removal of sporting and leisure facilities was suggested by L&Q, adding: "As part of a s106 planning agreement, L&Q has requested permission to provide funding for leisure facilities instead of building a BMX/skateboard facility and a climbing wall on the site of its Walthamstow Stadium development.

"The proposal is currently being considered and no decision has yet been made." 

The council has insisted the cash contribution will be spent on sporting faciltiies in south Chingford and not Pool and Track. 

Gail Penfold, chair of the Walthamstow Stadium Area Residents Association, said the association was unaware of any changes to the original plans. 

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She said: "Our Association has not been consulted on this and we would not support the removal of these facilities from the Walthamstow Stadium Site.

"The proposed crèche is apparently now going to be a newsagents.  

"There are also rumours that the remaining leisure space has not attracted any interest. 

"L&Q committed to establish a trust to run these facilities for the benefit of the local community, but we are unaware of what actions they have taken to do this. 

"I am sure with the right marketing these leisure facilities would be both popular locally and profitable for whoever takes them on."

There was widespread opposition to the development of the stadium, with a long-running campaign to re-open the racing track.

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