L&Q ignore residents, councillors and bidders for Walthamstow Dogs

On Saturday (16th Jan) in a tiny backroom at The Holiday Inn, London & Quadrant unveiled their plans to turn Walthamstow’s iconic stadium into high density housing. Touted as an opportunity to listen to local views and adapt the plans accordingly, the “consultation” was only open for 2 brief 4 hour slots.
Despite miserable weather residents turned up in large numbers to deliver an overwhelming thumbs down to the development. England footballer Teddy Sheringham provided helpful bait for TV and radio crews, while Ray Winstone sent his support from afar. Local politicians of all colours also expressed their anger at L&Q for putting forward the plans in election year. The only local politician missing was Labour Council Leader Chris Robbins who failed to attend or comment on the proposal despite finding time to promote E17 calendars and comedy nights on Twitter.

On BBC London, the Mayor Boris Johnson described how L&Q’s plans made his “blood run cold“, pledging to invite those behind a bid to save the track to city hall.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

ITV’s London Tonight reported on the “battle” for the Stow (Video here) while the Londonist website described the supposedly art deco “respectful” housing as being of a”characterless, pre-fab design that look like they’ve been thrown in from a stock library of such things“.

The stadium has sat empty for over a year now despite repeated attempts by investors to either buy and reopen it, or even temporarily lease it. Fresh from buying 50% of West Ham United David Sullivan is leading a bid to buy the site and invest in its redevelopment as not only a dog track but a multi-purpose sports and community facility (Read Press Release).
David Sullivan’s representative Nick Budimir spoke to BAG about their plans for the site (Video below). He expressed his frustrations at L&Q’s stalling tactics, lies about the profitability of the site, and exactly how many of the proposed houses are actually either affordable or will end up going to Walthamstow residents.

As someone who both owns and used to race dogs at the track, Walthamstow’s Labour MP Neil Gerrard has been a steadfast supporter of Save Our Stow’s plans to reopen Walthamstows only globally recognised landmark. Neil told us he would like to see L&Q stop stalling and get around the table to talk to those interested in buying the track.
Cllr John Macklin, the Liberal Democrat deputy leader of Waltham Forest council said: “Waltham Forest is in need of affordable houses, but 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”.
See below for video.

Despite L&Q stopping us from conducting an interview inside the consultation room and then accusing the residents association of “being a front for Save Our Stow“, BAG also spoke to L&Q’s PR Chris Middleton. To give him his due, he talks a good talk, describing the development as beneficial to the area, stating it would reduce traffic, and claiming the silent majority in Walthamstow would prefer housing to the dog track.

Finally we talked to the leader of the Save Our Stow campaign Ricky Holloway. To keep uptodate with Save Our Stow’s campaigns you can join their mailing list here, or join them on Facebook.

Back in 2008 BAG put together a tribute video to Walthamstow Dogs, as recorded in documentary footage from 1937, 1968, 1986 and it’s “so far” final year 2008. Its a reminder of what the Stadium meant to the borough for jobs, entertainment, the community and as soemthing that put E17 on the map.

The Soul of Walthamstow: 75 years of “The Stow” from blackhorse road on Vimeo.