IDS 'absolutely furious' with Mayor's dog track housing development go-ahead

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Central Government, Communities, Development

Iain Duncan Smith is "absolutely furious" with Boris Johnson over his decision to green light a huge housing development on the site of a popular dog racing track.

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions blasted the London Mayor during an interview with BBC London 94.9.

On Tuesday Mayor Johnson approved London & Quadrant's (L&Q) plans to build 294 homes on the Walthamstow Stadium, a scheme that has been fiercely opposed by locals and Walthamstow’s MP, Stella Creasy.

IDS has fought to preserve dog racing at the stadium and has attacked L&Q's failure to include any homes for social rent in its development plans, going as far as questioning the housing association's status as a social housing provider.

During the radio interview, IDS said: "I've been Secretary of State for a while. I tell you, you make tough decisions and sometimes officials tell you that this might happen but you say 'well lots of things might happen but I tell you what will happen, I'm going to make a decision here' and that's what it takes to be in charge and be leader.

"And sometimes you have to take a few risks but, honestly, people who live in the Walthamstow area are deeply, deeply disappointed in yesterday's decisions and I am absolutely furious."