TOTTENHAM Hotspur Football Club has overcome another hurdle towards building a new stadium in Haringey.

Eric Pickles MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, has written to Haringey Council and English Heritage confirming he will not call-in the plans for a new 56,000-seater stadium in Tottenham.

The minister's decision to stay out of the process leaves decisions on planning permission and listed building consent with the council.

It is a major boost for the club as it progresses towards being able to build a replacement for White Hart Lane and will also please fans who are urging the club to stay put in Tottenham.

Spurs continue to be one of the final two contenders to take over the Olympic stadium in Stratford after the 2012 games, which would be a hugely controversial move.

The Haringey Independent has joined supporters' calls for the club to stay in the borough, and for the council and authorities to help the Northumberland Park stadium become a reality.

The club confirmed Mr Pickles' decision in a short statement on its website, and added: “We now await the completion of a Section 106 with Haringey Council. We shall continue to keep you updated as we progress our new stadium plans.”