Tottenham and West Ham were both keen to become the venue’s anchor tenant before West Ham secured the backing of the Olympic Park Legacy Company in February. However, Tottenham has challenged the funding model supporting West Ham’s plans, and particularly the decision by the east London club’s local council to provide a £40 million loan to fund the move.
“The club has today sought permission from the High Court to bring a claim against the London Borough of Newham for judicial review of Newham's process in providing a loan for the conversion of the Olympic Stadium after the 2012 Games,” read a statement from Tottenham. “The club wrote to Newham asking it to explain its reasons and justification for its decision, but Newham has declined to respond to this request for information.”
The statement added: “Due to the time limits which apply to claims for judicial review, the club has had no alternative but to issue these proceedings in order to protect its position.”
West Ham, which has pledged to retain a running track around the pitch so that athletics events can still be staged at the Olympic Stadium, is hoping to move into its new home by August 2014.
