AN ANTI-GREYHOUND racing group held a rally outside Walthamstow Stadium as part of efforts to urge the Mayor of London not to consider a return of dog racing to the site.

London and Quadrant (L&Q) were granted planning permission to build a 294-home estate at the arena in Chingford Road, Chingford, by Labour councillors in May.

However a final decision will be made by mayor Boris Johnson and campaigners from the Greyt Exploitations group are calling on residents to lobby him not to pay attention to rival proposals to reopen the venue with dog racing.

They argue dog racing is cruel and dangerous, a claim the industry denies.

Spokeswoman Trudy Baker said campaigners did not necessarily support L&Q's plans, but did not want other proposals involving dog racing to be considered as a viable alternative.

A council spokesman said the authority was still finalising the section 106 (community grants) agreement with L&Q over the plans, and hoped to send the documents to the Mayor of London at the end of July.

The stadium closed in 2008.

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