DOG racing will never return to Walthamstow Stadium under the current ownership, it has been announced.

In a defiant statement, Housing association London and Quadrant (L&Q) has for the first time completely ruled out the sport becoming part of a future development - irrespective of the outcome of any future public consultations.

The announcement is another major blow for campaigners who want to see the stadium reopened as a dog track.

It comes just weeks after L&Q rejected an offer for the site from millionaire businessman and racing fan Bob Morton.

Save Our Stow (SOS) campaign leader Ricky Holloway expressed outrage at the announcement.

He said: "They think they know what's best for our community but they don't.

"And L&Q do not care what the Mayor of London wants or what the local MPs want either.

"It has taken two years for this housing association to show its true colours. We call upon the Mayor of London, councillors, MPs, trade unions, residents, residents' associations and the greyhound industry to join us.

"This is the most blatant act of a developer putting its own profit before the wishes of any community and L&Q must now be stopped."

L&Q said it will continue to push ahead with its plans for housing at the Chingford Road site.

A company statement said: "After having made an open invitation for any interested party to talk to us, giving Mr Morton two opportunities to present his offer and making absolutely clear what we would regard as acceptable, we have now concluded that the development of the Walthamstow Stadium site, under our ownership, will not include a dog racing track.

"There are a number of reasons for this.

"There is a serious need for housing in Waltham Forest - over 14,000 families are currently on the waiting list in the borough.

"Whilst leisure facilities need to form a key part of any development, it is our view that a dog track will not match the full community’s needs.

"We will be consulting widely on what form and shape that leisure offer will take, and our proposals will be based on that consultation process."

The stadium closed as a dog track two years ago following a decline in visitor numbers, although campaigners claim that was due to a lack of investment.

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