Source: Daily_Mail
Spurs press on with Olympic Stadium bid despite getting White Hart Lane approval
Tottenham will press ahead with plans to move to the Olympic Stadium despite receiving the go-ahead from London Mayor Boris Johnson.to build a new 56,000 seater arena adjacent to White Hart Lane. Spurs insist they have yet to decide which route to take despite clearing another hurdle towards the completion of the £450 million Northumberland Development Project which would see them stay in their current home in the borough of Haringey.The club has already been granted planning permission by Haringey council and following the approval of the London Mayor, only objections from the government and English Heritage can scupper their plans. London calling: Will Tottenham stay at White Hart Lane or move to the Olympic Stadium in 2012?However, the cost of their joint bid with entertainment giant AEG to redevelop the Olympic Stadium is considerably lower than that of building a new ground and Thursday's decision has done nothing to convince Spurs that the time has come to shelve their plans for a move to Stratford.West Ham are also in the running to move to the Olympic Stadium and unlike Spurs, who intend to make the arena football only, they are willing to keep the athletics track.The Olympic Park Legacy Company are set to announce which club is their preferred bidder next month but speaking recently, Sir Keith Mills, a Spurs director and board member of Olympics organisers Locog, suggested a move to Stratford was the preferred option for Tottenham. Home sweet home: A computer generated design of the club's proposed new White Hart Lane stadium'If the Olympic Park Legacy Company decides our bid is the preferred one, then we'll put all our efforts behind trying to move there,' said Mills.Tottenham MP David Lammy has also claimed Spurs would prefer a move to the Olympic Stadium, saying: 'It isclear from my meetings with Spurs that Northumberland Park is option two and Stratford is number one.The club leaving Tottenham would be the most devastating thing to happen to the area since I have been an MP.' Haringey council are understandably desperate for Spurs to remain in the borough given the regeneration of the area it would entail and were hopeful that yesterday's decision would swing the balance in their favour. Happy days: Tottenham players celebrate after Younes Kaboul put them 3-0 up against Werder BremenCouncil leader Claire Kober said: 'We're thrilled that Mayor of London has thrown his weight behind Tottenham Hotspur's plans. Spurs belong in Tottenham and should stay in Tottenham. It's what the fans want, it's what's best for the club and it's what's best for Tottenham.' Tottenham have promised to take fans'concerns about a move to the Olympic Stadium into consideration. Campaign group We Are N17, the postcode for the club's current home White Hart Lane, has already collected 2,300 signatures on a petition opposing the move to Stratford. Spurs set to win White Hart Lane fight that may end scramble for 2012 groundTottenham fans fume: We're N17 not East 17 and vow to fight leaving White Hart Lane for StratfordTottenham starlet Gareth Bale leads 17 Premier League stars bidding for place in FIFPro World Team of the YearTOTTENHAM HOTSPUR FC