ENGLISH Heritage has again expressed concern over proposals for a housing estate at Walthamstow Stadium after revised plans were submitted.

Housing association London and Quadrant (L&Q), which owns the site in Chingford Road, altered its plans last year after coming under criticism from the conservation body and residents.

L&Q reduced the number of homes from 301 to 294, although increased the proportion of flats.

Controversially, the revised plans also included BMX bicycle and skateboard ramps on the building's listed frontage.

Now a letter to the council has emerged, sent by English Heritage's senior historic buildings adviser Rachel Godden, expressing reservations at the new plans.

She wrote: "We welcome the reduction in the height of the blocks next to the Entrance Tote, but remain concerned about the massing [of buildings] in the centre of the site with relation to the setting of the listed buildings."

However English Heritage has held back from making a final judgement on the plans, requesting more information and discussions with L&Q about other parts of the proposals such as the BMX ramp.

Meanwhile L&Q has responded to criticisms from Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy and Chingford MP Iain Duncan Smith following claims from campaigners that the development will make a £26million loss.

In a joint statement the MPs accused L&Q of being "unreasonable and difficult" and said they had not listened to residents.

An L&Q spokesman denied the claims and said: "Our amended proposals for Walthamstow Stadium have been subject to extensive consultation with local communities, the planning department at the Council and other statutory consultees and a number of changes have been made following feedback.”

He added: "The proposals, which have been submitted to Waltham Forest Council, will deliver a £50m iconic development and will preserve the heritage of the site."

L&Q has refused to comment on the claim it will make a £26million loss but said it was confident of making the "right returns" on future investments due to its 40 years of experience.

L&Q receives government grants for some of its work but will also not comment on whether any public money has been or will be spent on the Walthamstow Stadium development.

L&Q has been approached for a comment about English Heritage's letter.

Ricky Holloway, of the Save Our Stow (SOS) group, which wants L&Q to sell the site to millionaire businessman Bob Morton so that he can reopen it with both dog racing and housing, said: "L&Q know the game is up.

"Their ill-considered scheme will make a significantly bigger loss than if they sell the site to Bob Morton. This loss can only be funded by raiding their reserves of taxpayer-funded money."

The stadium closed as a dog racing track in 2008 and has been derelict ever since.

Click here to follow the Waltham Forest Guardian on Twitter

Click here to follow the Waltham Forest Guardian on Facebook