• Boris Johnson had power to overturn planning
permission
• Project can now go ahead unless government intervenes
Tottenham today cleared what could be the final hurdle
in their bid to redevelop White Hart Lane after the London Mayor
gave their plans the green light.
Boris Johnson had the power to overturn last month's decision by
Haringey Council to grant Spurs planning permission to build a
56,000-seater venue on the site of their current ground.
But the mayor decided to back the council, meaning the £450m
project can go ahead unless the Government decides to intervene.
That is unlikely and would mean Tottenham now need to decide
whether to press ahead with what is called the Northumberland
Development Project.
The club are also bidding to take over the Olympic Stadium after
the 2012 Games, although West Ham appear to be the favourites to
become the anchor tenants in Stratford.
After giving the redevelopment of White Hart Lane the go-ahead
this afternoon, Johnson wrote to Haringey Council, saying: "I am
content to allow Haringey Council to determine the case itself,
subject to any action that the Secretary of State may take, and do
not therefore wish to direct refusal or to take over the
application for my own determination."