Government approves West Ham Olympic plan

Mar 3, 2011, 12:15 GMT

London - The British government and the mayor of London approved West Ham United's bid to take over the Olympic Stadium after the 2012 Games, the Department for Communities and Local Government announced on Thursday.

West Ham's proposal was selected over a rival one from Tottenham Hotspur last month. Both Spurs and Leyton Orient, whose Brisbane Road ground is near the Olympic site, are believed to be considering legal action.

Local government minister, Bob Neill, confirmed that he and the sports minister, Hugh Robertson, had approved the recommendation.

'This completes the first stage of this process and means that the Olympic Park Legacy Company are now able to enter into negotiations with the consortium comprising West Ham and the London Borough of Newham to agree a lease for the Olympic Stadium site on terms that are acceptable to government and the mayor of London and provide value for money to the public sector,' Neill said.

'We are delighted with the progress that has been made and very pleased we have reached this very significant milestone in determining the long-term legacy for the Olympic Park following the Games.'

Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, was similarly optimistic. 'I am confident that West Ham will provide a secure future for the stadium which also sees its iconic design for the London Games retained for future generations to admire,' he said.

'Just two years ago it faced the prospect of becoming a dust bowl staging occasional athletics events but now we can look forward to a fantastic multi-use venue at the heart of the community, able to host football and other sports as well as concerts and events specifically for local people and schools.'

Johnson also said he would support Tottenham in their attempts to redevelop their White Hart Lane stadium.

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