Row escalates over Olympic stadium future

A ROW between three football clubs over the right to move into the Olympic stadium after the 2012 games has escalated with Leyton Orient chairman Barry Hearn vowing to stop West Ham United’s bid in the courts.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Apr 2011, 07:00 BST

Launching a High Court battle yesterday, Hearn claimed he had no choice because the move would put Leyton Orient out of business.

The League One club are following Tottenham’s footsteps in applying for a judicial review to challenge the legality of Newham Council’s £40m loan to the Hammers.

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The Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) board members unanimously voted 14-0 in February to make West Ham their first choice to move into the £486m stadium in Stratford, east London.

Mr Hearn said: “I am the owner and chairman of Leyton Orient, which is 750 yards from the Olympic Park.

“I am beset with the potential of having football from a Premiership team moving to a 60,000 stadium with a huge subsidy for it.”

West Ham have estimated it could cost £95m to convert the venue after the Games.

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The Hammers, in a joint bid with Newham Council, intend to convert the 80,000-seater stadium into a 60,000-capacity ground which will keep its athletics track.

The club plans to move from its Upton Park ground in 2014/15 with a 250-year lease and to give a 250-year lease to UK Athletics (UKA).

Related topics:Barry HearnLeyton OrientWest Ham UnitedHigh Court