Conran and Partners wins approval for Walthamstow Dogs housing scheme

Conran and Partners has won planning approval for a contentious £50 million housing-led overhaul of Walthamstow stadium in east London

The practice, which has offices in London and Brighton, gained approval for the controversial scheme at a committee meeting last night (8 May).

The Conran masterplan proposes to retain the grade II-listed stadium, which has been described by English Heritage as ‘the best surviving and most architecturally interesting vintage greyhound racing stadium in the country’. The scheme can only go ahead once it receives approval from the London mayor Boris Johnson.

The project for developer London &. Quadrant (L&Q) will create 294 homes, a new leisure centre, children’s nursery, parkland, play spaces a public plaza and allotments.

Last year architects Spacelab released images of rival scheme for the site, drawn up on behalf of campaign group Save Our Stow (SOS), which had been battling to return dog racing to the 1930s east London stadium (see AJ 02.02.2011)

The architect’s view – Lee Davies, director of Conran and Partners

’Our plan for the stadium site will deliver well-designed, affordable housing for local people in an area of real need. It will bring benefits to everyone living in the borough"

‘We are also firmly committed to preserving the heritage of the site. We are bringing the listed buildings into long- term sustainable use for all ages within the community and will deliver a community-based development that will provide new homes, a modern leisure centre, children’s nursery, allotments and jobs.

‘The development will also see this iconic heritage asset preserved and brought back to life for the wider community and future generations to appreciate and use.’