Tottenham’s £400 million plan to redevelop their White Hart Lane ground was unanimously approved by the planning committee of Haringey Council on Thursday night, but club chairman Daniel Levy says Spurs are interested in the Olympic stadium as an alternative.

"Clearly we are delighted with this unanimous decision and are grateful to all those who expressed such clear support for the plan," Levy told the club’s website.

"I should stress there is still much work to be done."

As a back-up option, he added, Spurs had also teamed up with AEG, the American sports and entertainment business, to mount a joint bid to lease the London Olympic venue even though rivals West Ham - whose Upton Park ground is far closer - has the backing of Newham council and would be favourites.

Tottenham and AEG’s plans would involve converting the 80,000 Olympic stadium into a 60,000-seater venue for football, similar to West Ham’s application. AEG would manage the venue for Spurs, including arranging naming rights.

Levy explained the north London club, currently playing in the Champions’ League for the first time, wanted to keep their options open.

"I can also confirm we have registered an interest in the Olympic Stadium site within the deadline of  September 30, in conjunction with AEG [Europe], the world’s largest entertainment and facilities management company," he said.

"It is only prudent and good management that we ensure we investigate all possible options for the club.

"We were informed by the Olympic Park Legacy Company that were we not to register an interest at this time, there would not be an opportunity at any future date.

"We have always maintained that we wouldn’t undertake any project that could undermine the overall financial stability and future success of the club and this shall remain our guiding principle going forward and in determining our best option in the interests of the club and all its fans and stakeholders.

"We shall keep everyone connected with the club updated over the coming months as discussions continue with the various public sector bodies."

Tottenham have more than 23,000 fans on their waiting list for season tickets and their top priority - for emotional, practical and traditional reasons - is undoubtedly staying at their present location.

The local Council debated for over four hours before making their decision to allow development of a new 56,250-seat site to go ahead.

The ruling will come as a huge relief to Levy and the club whose original application was presented almost a year ago.

In the meantime, Tottenham have seen neighbours Arsenal go from strength to strength - commercially at least - at their state-of-the-art Emirates stadium which holds close to double White Hart Lane’s totally inadequate 36,000 capacity.

Tottenham’s plan now goes to Mayor of London Boris Johnson for approval, most likely within two weeks.

The club, who are already well under way in building a new training ground, ideally want to move to their new home at the start of the 2013-14 season though this may have to be delayed while funding is sought.


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