LABOUR councillors are calling on the owners of the Walthamstow Stadium site to put their development plans on hold.

A statement has been issued today on behalf of Waltham Forest's Labour Party urging development company, TP Bennett and London & Quadrant Housing Association, to delay plans for a residential development so options for leisure facilities can be explored.

The statement said: “Waltham Forest Labour group are very disappointed that a development company, TP Bennett and London & Quadrant Housing Association have decided to start a public consultation about their plans for a housing development on the site of the Walthamstow dog track.

“Whilst there is a significant need for affordable housing in the borough there is also a need for leisure facilities. We are pleased that there are still leisure options being put forward for the dog track and it is important that these are fully explored.

“Therefore we are calling on TP Bennett and London & Quadrant Housing Association to put on hold their planning application for a housing development so that these leisure options can be further explored.”

The Save Our Stow campaigners have been working alongside a consortium of investors, including Birmingham City co-owner David Sullivan, who are interested in buying the stadium and turning it into a mixed development of houses and greyhound racing track and leisure area.

Businessman Nick Budimir, who represents the investors, previously told the Guardian that a re-opened Stow could not survive with greyhound racing alone, so other sports facilities, such as an astro-turf for local football teams and a speedway bike racing track, are being considered.

Waltham Forest Liberal Democrats have also issued a statement of support to the Save Our Stow.

Lib Dem and deputy leader of the council, Cllr John Macklin, said: “Whilst we're acutely aware that Waltham Forest needs affordable houses it must not be at the expense of what little leisure facilities we have left.

"We have lost too many leisure facilities in this borough and despite promises no worthwhile developments have taken place."

He added: "I am unhappy that this development is being proposed when I have worked so hard with the Save our Stow campaigners to get London and Quadrant to talk to a group that want to develop the site so that dog racing may return."

Cllr Bob Belam added: “We seem to be bringing plans forward for more houses without thinking about our need for infrastructure such as schools and medical facilities."

Click here to follow the Waltham Forest Guardian on Twitter