WALTHAM Forest Council has moved to clarify the status of a planning bid to return dog racing to Walthamstow Stadium, saying its officers will only offer "informal" views on the proposals at this stage.

Millionaire businessman Bob Morton submitted plans to the authority last week to reopen the track and build 96 new homes at the site.

The arena, in Chingford Road, Chingford, is owned by housing association London & Quadrant (L&Q), which is seeking to turn the site into a 300-home residential complex.

But Mr Morton wants to prove that it would be viable to have housing and dog racing at the site under his plans, a claim disputed by L&Q.

But in a statement, the council has said that Mr Morton's proposal he submitted is not a formal planning application.

A spokesman said: "A rival planning application has not been submitted for validation.

"Mr Morton has submitted a pre-application enquiry – this is part of the planning process whereby prospective developers seek planning officers’ informal views on a given scheme.

"Should Mr Morton submit a formal planning application, we will, of course, judge it entirely on its own merits and independently of London and Quadrant’s own application for the site."

Representatives for Mr Morton said he would be meeting with officers to discuss his proposals further in the current weeks.

It is the second time the council has issued a public statement denying Mr Morton has submitted a formal application.

A week after campaigners announced Mr Morton's intentions two months ago, cabinet member for housing Cllr Marie Pye put out a statement saying it had not been received.

Meanwhile residents have until the end of August to make comments on L&Q's plans, which have been validated. The council says it will still consider representations made after that date as long as is possible before any planning meeting.

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