The Government and London mayor Boris Johnson have given their approval to West Ham taking over the Olympic Stadium after the London 2012 Games.
The Olympic Park Legacy Company had recommended the joint bid by West Ham and Newham Council over Tottenham's and this has now been rubber-stamped.
Local government minister Bob Neill confirmed that he and sports/Olympics minister Hugh Robertson had both approved the recommendation.
Neill said: "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.
"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."
Source: PA
