London Mayor, Boris Johnson has approved plans to turn what once was a popular dog racing track, into a housing and leisure complex. But the approval hasn’t gone down too well with local MP’s and campaigners alike.
Walthamstow greyhound track closed its traps for the final time on 16th August 2008 after 75 years of trading. The demise of the Grade II listed building was blamed on poor visitor attendance and failing profits.
Over the years, the East London stadium has attracted high profile visitors such as Brad Pitt and Winston Churchill, but that wasn’t enough to save the stadium from developers, London and Quadrant (L&Q).
The plan to build 294 new homes and a leisure complex were approved by Waltham Forest Council in May 2012. But it was left to Boris Johnson to have the final say over the scheme, which he approved on 30th October 2012.
Iain Duncan Smith was one of the MP’s who opposed the plans.
He said: “It’s outrageous what’s going on. There’s no social housing so it [the plan] doesn’t even perform in terms of the council’s requirements.”
However Boris Johnson believes the plans will benefit the community.
He said: “A huge £2m contribution to the surrounding community has been secured from the developer which will deliver vastly improved local sports and leisure facilities for generations of east Londoners to enjoy.”
Did you visit Walthamstow greyhound track in its heyday? Are you happy with the plans to transform the famous stadium into housing? Or do you think the Grade II listed building could have been used for something else? Share your thoughts below.
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