THE row over the Walthamstow Stadium site continues as campaigners claim the land could yet be sold or leased.

Rick Holloway, of the Save Our Stow (SOS) campaign, claims housing association L&Q, who own the site, have been knocked back in an initial bid to build up to 500 flats there.

Mr Holloway claims he has spoken to council officers about the site, who informed him of the refusal.

He said: “About ten months ago, L&Q came to the council quite aggressive and anxious. They wanted to build flats seven storeys high.

“They were told there's no way – the council haven't heard from them in the last six months but there's a report coming out which basically says they can only go two storeys high if at all.”

He also claimed the site must include leisure provision as a requirement is written into the deed.

Mr Holloway added: “L&Q are in financial difficulty and they can't justify building on the site.”

However, a spokeswoman for L&Q has firmly denied allegations that the company became aggressive with the council and that they had fallen out of contact.

She said: “L&Q completely denies this allegation and believes this comment is both slanderous and unsubstantiated.

“We continue to work very closely with the various statutory authorities and agencies to make sure that we get the design for this site right. This is an ongoing process that takes time.”

The spokeswoman did not deny plans were in the pipeline to put seven-storey buildings on the site and did not address Mr Holloway's claim that leisure provision must be included.

She added: “Plans for the site are ongoing. Once our planning application has been submitted we will share these with the local community as part of a consultation process.”

L&Q has also denied that it is suffering from any financial difficulty and maintained it intends to submit a planning application by autumn this year.

SOS sent a letter to L&Q through financial advisors Kuhrt Leach in May this year, saying two investors had been found either to buy or lease the land.

In a letter responding to the offer, L&Q senior land development managed Simon Baxter stated: “We do not wish to temporarily lease the Stadium for greyhound racing as there are a number of legal and public safety issues associated with this.

“We are not actively seeking offers to buy the stadium outright.”

Greyhound racing officially ceased at the stadium in August last year after the former owners sold the land to L&Q.

Campaigners have continued to fight for the stadium to be reopened as a dog track ever since.

The Guardian is awaiting a statement from the council regarding claims made by SOS.