A RIVAL planning application for both housing and a re-opened dog racing track at Walthamstow Stadium has finally been submitted.
Housing association London & Quadrant is seeking to turn the site in Chingford Road, Chingford, into a 300-home residential complex.
But millionaire businessman Bob Morton, backed by the Save Our Stow (SOS) campaign, is aiming to prove that it is possible to return greyhound racing to the iconic arena, despite L&Q's claims that such plans are unworkable.
Mr Morton's plan to submit a rival planning application was first announced two months ago, but has been delayed due to last minute adjustments, according to his supporters.
His proposals include a reopening of the dog track, a new nightclub, 96 residential units along the side of the course in six storey blocks and four mini football pitches in the middle.
Mr Morton says the plans have been drawn up with a registered social landlord, but is refusing to say which one for "commercial reasons".
"If the councillors want to preserve the heritage of Walthamstow Stadium then they should seriously consider this," he said.
Mr Morton's plans are similar to proposals he revealed last year, but have been scaled down to include more family homes.
L&Q commissioned an independent report into Mr Morton's original proposals as part of its planning application.
It concluded there was not enough space for both housing and a dog track at the site, and also raised concerns about lack of parking and a perceived lack of detail.
Mr Morton denied the claims.
He said: "If the report had been commissioned by the council then that would be something else entirely, but if L&Q asked someone to do a report for them then it's not independent."
Another argument against the reopening of the stadium is that greyhound racing is on the decline.
Mr Morton admitted that attendance numbers had fallen last year, but added: "However this year across the board they have risen again.
“The country is effectively in a depression and greyhound racing is a cheap night out compared to the football or rugby, and it's a very sociable event.
Mr Morton's application, which is supported by Chingford MP Iain Duncan Smith and Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy, has been submitted at the pre-application stage but not for validation as previously reported.
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