Spurs strike fresh planning deal with Haringey Council over White Hart Lane project
Thursday September 22, 2011
By DAN CARRIER
SPURS have re-signed a legal agreement with Haringey Council to plough much needed funds in to the Tottenham area as part of a planning deal to redevelop the White Hart Lane ground.
The deal, which was struck last year as Spurs got the nod to go ahead with their scheme to rebuild White Hart Lane and turn it into a 56,000-seater stadium, was due to run out this week.
Spurs have been embroiled in a bidding war and then legal action to move to the site of the Olympics Stadium in Stratford – but having missed out to West Ham, are now re-considering their current 20 acre site in N17.
A club spokesman confirmed that Spurs executives had signed the Section 106 agreement with Haringey, a crucial part of the £400m programme.
It could see Spurs paying out around £17m to help regenerate the area.
It deals mainly with transport issues, public spaces and looking after the roads around the club.
It also deals with social housing and other crucial aspects of reinvigorating Tottenham.
The spokesman said: “The terms of our discussions with Haringey Council and the Greater London Authority are currently on going.
“We have signed the Section 106 agreement and this means we still have planning permission – we could start building the new White Hart Lane tomorrow.
“Discussions are taking place at a number of levels with Haringey and the GLA to move the project forward.”
The spokesman revealed that club chairman Daniel Levy had met with London Mayor Boris Johnson to discuss wider investment in the Tottenham area, an issue that has come to the fore following the riots in August.
He added: “We are a private company and are not expecting help with building our stadium, but we are talking about how we can work with public authorities to improve the Tottenham area.”
Meanwhile, a second string side crashed out to Stoke City on Tuesday night on penalties, losing 7-6 at the Britannia Stadium after turning in a wonderful performance in the league on Sunday, when they beat Liverpool 4-0.
Harry Redknapp's charges now face Wigan Athletic away on Saturday.
And with Brazilian midfielder Sandro and Tom Huddlestone both close to full fitness, the manager faces a selection headache in the middle of the park, with both Scott Parker and Luka Modric in fine form.
He will also have to choose between a goal scoring Jermain Defoe and Rafael van der Vaart to partner Emmanuel Adebayor in attack. Ledley King is expected to make his third appearance in a row – the first time for two years – the heart of the defence.