The planned redevelopment of the Upton Park site has hit a stumbling block.
According to Newham council, the main cause for concern is the ‘meagre’ number of affordable homes on offer for young Londoners. Out of the 838 homes planned for the Boleyn site, only 185 of them will be recognised under the affordable housing scheme.
Principal planner Christopher Paggi is not happy with that figure and wants the percentage of affordable housing to increase from 22% to the 35%-50% mark.
Barratt Homes and Galliard Homes, the firms working on the site, believe that a further increase is something that will not be financially viable. Newham council disagree with this as financial giants BNP Paribas highlighted that potential profits could still be achieved if the number of affordable housing was increased further.
The project has received opposition as many are asking why the numbers are so low when the area is in need of more affordable housing.
With this news breaking, the Daily Mail report that Tottenham could move into Upton Park if the plans for the project break down. Spurs need to find a home for the 2016/17 season as they are redeveloping White Hart Lane, increasing its capacity to 61,000.
Although the report highlights the possibility of Tottenham moving to Upton Park, there is little to no evidence to suggest that this will actually happen. Instead, Galliard Homes and Barratt Homes released a statement outlining their intentions:
‘Galliard Homes and Barratt London can confirm that they are working together regarding the potential redevelopment of the existing West Ham football ground, following the club’s relocation to the former Olympic Stadium in readiness for the 2016/2017 football season. Knight Frank is advising.’
It looks like Tottenham may have to look elsewhere…
Should the Upton Park project contain a sizeable amount of affordable homes? Comment below
The Daily Fail have regurgitated an incredibly old story. The is absolutely no truth in Tottenham going to Upton Park for a year as everyone knows.