Fury as Walthamstow Dog Stadium given go-ahead for redevelopment

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Mira Bar-Hillel|Chris Stevenson31 October 2012

Boris Johnson has given the go-ahead to redevelop Wathamstow dog stadium into a homes and leisure complex in a “bitter blow” to campaigners.

Local residents had wanted the Grade II-listed building to be protected, saying it had heritage and cultural value for the community.

But last night the Mayor rubber-stamped Waltham Forest council’s decision to allow the £50 million plan by developer London & Quadrant Housing Trust to build 294 homes, a community-run sports centre, allotments and a children’s nursery.

Protesters, led by local MPs Iain Duncan Smith and Stella Creasy, are now calling on Communities Secretary Eric Pickles to intervene and block the development.

Opened in 1933, the stadium quickly became a landmark venue and punters who have passed through its doors include Winston Churchill and Brad Pitt, while a young David Beckham used to collect glasses in the restaurant for pocket money.

The track also featured on the cover of Blur’s 1994 Parklife album. It closed in 2008 after 75 years of racing after falling profits and was sold to the developers.

But those opposed to the new project claim it is financially unviable and that promises of community funding will not be met. Mr Duncan Smith and Ms Creasy said in a joint statement: “We are deeply disappointed in the Mayor of London as we understood him to be in support of the dog track and our constituents voted for him partly on this basis. This isn’t over yet.”

Ms Creasy added: “Today’s news is a bitter blow.

“There are now very serious questions about the financial viability of L&Q’s plans and what this means for the public purse. Mr Pickles has previously expressed concern for the fate of the dog track. He now has 21 days to decide on whether to take over the decision himself. I hope he does.”

Rick Holloway, from the Save Our Stow campaign, said the group would apply for a judicial review if their appeal to Mr Pickles failed.