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CAMPAIGNERS say the demolition of Tottenham Hotspur’s club headquarters has “robbed” the town of its history.
The Red House has stood between Tottenham High Road and Bill Nicholson Way for more than 120 years.
But, during the early hours of Saturday morning, it was knocked down as the latest part of the Spurs regeneration of the White Hart Lane stadium and surrounding land as part of their Northumberland Park development.
The plan for the area is to build a larger stadium with 61,000 seats, along with almost 600 flats.
A new club shop and a museum will also be included and the Grade II Listed Warmington House will be demolished.
The regeneration of the club has caused uproar for many years.
In 2009, Spurs fans launched a petition to save the Red House, which was built in the 1850s and was home to the famous cockerel perched on top of the building's clock.
Justin Hinchcliffe, of Walpole Road, said the demolition was “disgraceful”.
The 35-year-old said: "We were enthusiastic about the proposed new stadium as it would spruce up the area and bring much-needed money and jobs into the area.
“However, there was a proviso. Spurs kept the historic buildings along the High Road and incorporated them into their new design.
“After some to-ing and fro-ing, Spurs agreed with that view, but now they are tearing up this promise quicker than you can say 'red card'.”
Mr Hinchcliffe, who is a member of Tottenham Conservatives, believes the reason the building was destroyed in the early hours was to avoid protests from campaigners.
He said: “When do you see or hear of demolitions taking place early on a Saturday morning?
“They knew that there would be widespread opposition by local people and local and London government.
“Indeed, had I received a tip off I may well have chained myself to it. They have robbed us of our history whilst we were sleeping.
“This sly, underhand behaviour makes everyone wonder what other promises Spurs will now break? How much further will they dumb down their development?”
A club spokesperson for Tottenham Hotspur, who was not named, said the building was demolished for safety reasons.
They said: “They have been removed in order to address and improve crowd safety and crowd flow issues along the High Road.
“This issue has long been a concern for the Club which was largely caused by the location of these three buildings, which narrowed the pavement width to less than two metres, alongside the bus lane.
“The Club has carefully considered the right design for this area in order to redress these safety issues.
“The works took place over the weekend as they required the closing of the bus lane due to health and safety reasons. "
The spokesperson added the reason for knocking it down so early was due to bus lanes needing to be reopened before Monday.
They said: “Works commenced at 7am on Saturday and had to be completed before the end of Sunday in order to allow the bus lane to reopen for the start of the working week.
“The project represents an investment of over half a billion pounds into Tottenham, creating a world-class scheme with significant benefits for the local community.
“With the completion of the Club’s first phase of development at Lilywhite House, there has already been over 600 new jobs and 100 new apprenticeships created on site and around the Borough.
“When the scheme is fully complete, it will support around 3,500 jobs, with £293million pumped into the local economy each year.”
How on earth does this guy think Spurs knocked down Listed Buildings without permission to do so?.........All he had to do was follow the planning process and he could have objected then.
Agree with the comment in response. Had the conversation about the shame of the buildings being demolished as part of the new development, and how the Red House had initially been meant to be saved but now had to go, while walking by them in February. If he wanted to chain himself to it to save it, then he should have done so long ago. The issue of safety and crowd flow has always been the one given and all has been long approved. Twit making an issue long after there was one. Probably just wanted his name in print, framed 10 copies to give out to his friends and family to prove how "Tottenham he is".
:dembelewtf:
The pitch has recovered quick.Things are moving on in the stadium...
If it was called the green house then nothing would have been said!
OMG! That third picture proves we are living within the matrix! One of the machines left the strip lights on in the sky!
Pretty impressive pace of change!
Shelfs going to be a bit drafty next season...There's a big bloody hole in the side of the stadium...
Looks like it's full steam ahead.
Boring question alert, but has it been confirmed how we are funding it? Straight up loan? Or are the NFL helping us out a bit?
Just curious to know how long it will take for it to be paid off once complete. I'm sure it's all in hand and forecasted as well as it can be.
Boring question alert, but has it been confirmed how we are funding it? Straight up loan? Or are the NFL helping us out a bit?
Just curious to know how long it will take for it to be paid off once complete. I'm sure it's all in hand and forecasted as well as it can be.
No.
It's all very hush-hush.
Many people think a naming deal is already in place and we're using the money from that/loan/own savings.
We already had short term finance sorted out - I can't imagine anyone is prepared to agree to a longer term financing deal until the result of the referendum is known.
Hope the NFL didn't have the foresight to include a Brexit clause in their deal....
I know mate, I'm stuck on the end.
We must be within "OH FOR SUCKS SAKE MASON" distance of each other
Have you considered stand-up, mate?Bloody show off...
Now, that is worrying. :lamelashock:
