The Mayor had the power to overturn last month's decision by Haringey Council to grant planning permission for the 56,000-seater stadium.

Instead he wrote to them stating: "I am content to allow Haringey Council to determine the case itself, subject to any action that the Secretary of State may take, and do not therefore wish to direct refusal or to take over the application for my own determination."

The £450 million ($710 million) redevelopment of White Hart Lane will now go ahead unless the Government decides to intervene.

Meanwhile, Tottenham are one of the two remaining bidders for the London 2012 Olympic Stadium in a joint bid with American entertainment giant AEG.

Spurs are up against another joint bid from West Ham and Newham Council for the £516 million ($814 million) Stratford venue, but West Ham appears clear favourite to take it over.

Unlike Tottenham, West Ham intends to keep the athletics track which was one of the key promises made by London when it was awarded the 2012 Games.

Tottenham's bid for the Olympic Stadium is also very unpopular with fans who are heavily opposed to a move across London.

An online petition titled 'Say No to Stratford Hotspur' has more than 2,100 signatures including local MP David Lammy.

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