THE housing association which owns the former Walthamstow Stadium site says it “remains committed” to building homes on the land, despite businessman David Sullivan's interest in buying it.

But a spokeswoman for London & Quadrant (L&Q) did not rule out the association accepting a future offer for the Chingford Road site.

A company of Mr Sullivan's has written to L&Q outlining its financial position and is seeking permission to visit the site.

An L&Q spokeswoman said: “L&Q has received a letter from a company which arrived at our offices on December 4 “It was a simple note offering us the opportunity to contact their bank and take up financial references should we wish.  “This is one of the requirements we have outlined to them before any discussions can proceed and is designed to ascertain if we are dealing with a credible company.”

The spokeswoman would not say whether L&Q has responded to the letter, checked the company's financial references, or whether discussions will now take place about a sale.

She said L&Q wants further communication to remain private and not be done through the media. But the prospect of selling the site has not been ruled out.

Mr Sullivan's company is in discussions with operators about plans for the site which could see the dog track, which closed 16 months ago, re-opened as part of a development which could also include other leisure facilities, such as artificial football pitches, a bingo hall, or community centre.

L&Q has previously said a planning application for homes would be submitted by the end of the year, but has not yet been put in.

L&Q would also have to apply for a change of use on the land, from leisure to residential.

The Save Our Stow campaign group, which wants the Stow to be re-opened as a dog track, believes allowing the use to be changed to residential would contravene the council's planning policies.

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