Source: Team_Talk
Johnson advice for Tottenham
ondon Mayor Boris Johnson has urged Tottenham to pursue plans to build a new stadium in their traditional home in the north of the city.[LNB] Johnson has offered Tottenham a £17million take it-or-leave-it offer which he hopes will be enough to persuade the club to take up the Northumberland Development Project (NDP).[LNB]The NDP idea involves Spurs moving in to a 56,000-seater stadium on a site adjacent to their current White Hart Lane home in Haringey which holds just 36,000.[LNB]Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy insisted last year the NDP was no longer viable and decided to instead pursue plans to move to the Olympic Stadium.[LNB]Tottenham lost the contest for the Stratford stadium to West Ham and they are now looking at ways to revive the NDP despite simultaneously challenging the decision to hand the Hammers the keys to the Olympic showpiece.[LNB]Johnson today committed a £17million package to help fund the transport and redevelopment plans for the NDP, but having spent £85million of their own money on the project so far, Spurs are reluctant to undertake the project without more discussions with local and central government.[LNB]Spurs chairman Daniel Levy said in a statement: "It would be wholly irresponsible of us to announce we were proceeding with the scheme without the appropriate agreements and support firmly in place. Discussions are continuing with all the relevant stakeholders and we shall, as always, keep our supporters updated."[LNB]Levy is worried the riots in Tottenham will make the planned regeneration of the area, one of the most deprived in the capital, less appealing.[LNB]He added: "We are the major employer and economic driver in the area and are now the only major private sector business here that is looking to invest and play its part in the regeneration of an area which has suffered from decades of under-investment.[LNB]"Given recent events, Tottenham needs our concerted efforts to reverse the decline of decades and create a community with hope and prospects of future prosperity.[LNB]"Both local and national government now recognise the important role our new stadium development can play in kick-starting this.[LNB]"The proposed stadium scheme and wider area development has the potential to lever hundreds of millions of pounds worth of much-needed regenerative development to Tottenham.[LNB]"But we cannot be expected to do this single-handedly.[LNB]"We have seen land values fall again post the recent riots and this is a further concern for the club as it considers the nature of the investment.[LNB]"The overall scheme requires a complex package of financing of which the correct level and nature of public support is critical."[LNB]Johnson earlier stressed no more funds were available to finance the project, and insisted he thinks Spurs should remain in Haringey.[LNB]"The club knows there is no more money available from the public purse and I sincerely hope that they accept the offer we have made," Johnson said.[LNB]"It is not just in the best interests of Tottenham Hotspur and the fans of this great London club, but of the wider north London community.[LNB]"Tottenham Hotspur has long been an integral part of the community and by staying true to its roots the club now has the power to revolutionise an area of the capital that has been neglected for far too long.[LNB]"Last month's riots were a telling reminder of just how important it is for Spurs to press ahead with the development at Northumberland Park and to help kick-start a much wider regeneration project that would create jobs and give Tottenham the economic boost it deserves."
