Protesters gathered outside a football stadium to campaign against the potential demolition of homes and businesses.

The protest took place outside White Hart Lane, in Tottenham, last Saturday, to highlight plans for the stadium expansion, which opponents say has created uncertainty for people living nearby.

Haringey Borough Council says the plans could create 1,200 new homes, a revamped station, and new business space. The authority has also pledged to replace any council homes that are demolished.

However, opponents – who include businesses, tenants and activists - claim the regeneration will result in a lack of affordable housing and will drive people out of the area.

Paul Burnham, of Haringey Defend Council Housing, said: “We organised the protest to take the message to the Spurs fans. We are asking for their support for our campaign for Spurs to pull back from demolition of homes and businesses.

“They call it regeneration, but it doesn’t mean it will make things better for ordinary people. It will drive people out of our own area. In the future ordinary people will not be able to buy or rent homes.

“People all around the borough are angry about it. These are our homes, our future and our community. What we want is investment in council housing. I am really worried about what will happen. This is about austerity and the costs being pushed onto working class people. It’s completely wrong.”

Moaz Nanjuwany, an optician and chairman of Tottenham traders’ partnership, said: “We are all for regeneration, but it must be done with the people of Tottenham. It needs to be fair to businesses and people in the area. They need to be involved. The beauty of Tottenham is the fact it’s such a multicultural, diverse community, and people need to be involved in the decision making process.”

Vince Gillespie, 66, who lives on the Chesnut Estate and is retired, said: “As far as I am concerned, I was desperate the stadium stays in Tottenham, but not at the cost of our homes. I have been a Spurs fan for 55 years but our message is we are not against the club, but they have a duty for this community. A few people have come over and supported us. If we don’t know what’s really happening, how do the fans know?”

Jenny Sutton, the Trade Union and Socialist Coalition’s parliamentary candidate for Tottenham, joined the protesters.

She said: “I think everyone deserves a nice area to live, but if regeneration is at the expense of everyone, it’s too much. There’s a completely distorted housing market, where homes are seen as things for investment, not for people to live in. You get in a situation where families are being squeezed into completely unsuitable space, and people cannot afford to stay. It’s breaking up communities.”

Jacob Secker, from Haringey Defend Council Housing, lives on the Tangmere block on the Broadwater Farm estate.

He said: “We need more council housing built. It offers people secure tenancies and low rents. We need more of it and we need better homes for Haringey.”

A Haringey Council spokesman said: “Thousands of residents have told us their ambitions for Tottenham’s future, and we support their ambitions for high-quality affordable housing, more opportunities to find long-lasting work and better transport links.

“No family will be forced out of Tottenham, and in our High Road West proposals – where more than two-thirds of residents have backed our plans – where redevelopment takes place all secure council tenants would be offered a new, modern home at the same social housing rent.

“Our aim will always be to replace all council housing in any redevelopment, and we’ll hold full consultation with residents to find the best solution.”