Traders in Tottenham are “desperate” to see construction work on the Spurs stadium project begin, after planning approval was granted this week.

Nicky Price, of the Tottenham Traders’ Partnership, which represents businesses in High Road, said the group was “very positive” that the £400 million Northumberland Development Project would bring benefits to the area.

Amended planning proposals for the 56,000-seater stadium scheme were unanimously approved by Haringey councillors at a meeting on Monday night, after months of negotiations between the club, council, and Mayor of London’s office.

Mr Price said: “We’re very excited it’s been passed – without it I see a bleak future for the community and the sooner it starts the better.

“We all know the condition of north Tottenham and we’re desperate to see the project move forward because it will ignite regeneration in the area.

“The whole face of Tottenham will change and bring in other investment because people will see the stadium and look at Tottenham with fresh eyes.”

Construction on a new supermarket and businesses will begin in September and be built by 2014, while the stadium itself will be completed by 2016.

The stadium will be surrounded by 280 new homes, a new square, public space, including a podium for community events, and improvements to roads and public transport at White Hart Lane Station and Tottenham Hale Station.

Spurs abandoned commitments for 50 per cent of the new homes to be affordable housing, but Mr Price said the scheme needed to be commercially viable and that Haringey already had lots of affordable homes.

He added: “In an area such as this, we need to have a good mixture of clientele – these 280 homes will help bring more footfall and cashflow into the area. A good mix of people is what makes a good community.”