CHINGFORD: Stow owner 'will continue consultation' (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

CHINGFORD: Stow owner 'will continue consultation'

4:28pm Tuesday 7th December 2010 in Waltham Forest News By Daniel Binns

The last day of Walthamstow Stadium before it closed as a dog racing venue back in 2008.

THE owner of Walthamstow Stadium insists residents will be given the opportunity to shape its plans for the site despite the last-minute cancellation of consultation events.

Housing association London and Quadrant (L&Q) dramatically called off two meetings over its proposals on Friday.

L&Q said staff felt threatened by those who oppose their plans at an event the previous day and were in the process of making a formal complaint to police.

However, campaigners and councillor Nick Buckmaster have rubbished claims there was a threatening atmosphere at the meeting.

L&Q later withdrew a press statement and issued a public apology to MPs Stella Creasy and Iain Duncan Smith for implying they were part of a orchestrated campaign to apply 'undue influence' on the housing association to sell the site.

The MPs were due to attend a consultation event on Friday.

L&Q plans to build a housing complex and leisure facilities on the site, but campaigners say many residents want the venue to be re-opened as a dog racing stadium.

L&Q has said it will continue to consult with the public, but has refused to be drawn on how this will be done.

An L&Q spokeswoman said: "Assessing the view of the local community as a whole remains a priority and further consultation will be organised as soon as is practicable.

"Further information on this will be provided on our website and to local residents when it becomes available.

"We will work closely with local MPs and listen to the views of their constituents to ensure that we pay tribute to the heritage of the site and bring future prosperity to the borough."

Meanwhile millionaire businessman Bob Morton has issued a statement saying he is still willing to enter negotiations with L&Q over the purchase of the site.

He said: "I value the whole site at between £8million to £9million.

"My original offer to L&Q, which remains on the table, was to purchase the greyhound track part of the site for £4million, allowing L&Q to residentially develop the part of the site currently occupied by the Popular Enclosure which I value at between £4million to £5million, however, this was turned down as being unacceptable to L&Q.

"I would like to make clear my flexibility with regards a proposed deal. In principle, I continue to be prepared to purchase the whole site and further discussions with L&Q would continue to be based on my valuation."

He added: "There remains flexibility surrounding the amount of the offer, either for part of the site or for the purchase of the whole site."

In other Stow news, the Waltham Forest Green Party has added its support to a call by animal rights group Greyhound Action for L&Q to not "give in" to campaigners.

They argue greyhound racing is cruel, a claim denied by the industry.

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