Diane McLean
There are a few more twists and turns before anyone should consider writing Wimbledon’s obituary. So thinks Diane McLean, the lawyer who has spearheaded Paschal Taggart’s plan to retain greyhound racing at Wimbledon.
Mrs McLean has been in the USA in recent months but has been monitoring the situation closely and is fully abreast of developments.
She said: “I had predicted what the Mayor would do some time ago though I was surprised that he and Alambritis (head of Merton Council) have been quite so open in their celebrations. This has always been about party politics. A Tory Mayor calls it in, a Labour Mayor supports a Labour council. It is that simple. But until they get it past the Conservative minister Sadiq Javed, nothing is settled. (Wandsworth is a Conservative Council).
“One point that is often overlooked is this; the Minister doesn’t have to overturn the plan, just insist on changes. This project only works for Galliard Homes if they can get high intensity housing.”
Mrs McLean’s logic is based on the need of landowners Galliard Homes to make a significant profit since they must first repay their loan, originally just over £50m, plus accruing interest, to the National Management Asset Agency (NAMA).
Mrs McLean added: “If there is nothing in it for Galliards, I don’t think they will bother; and the football club clearly don’t have the money. I would imagine that Galliards will be glad to see the back of Wimbledon, one way or another.
“I saw Paschal’s comments about Merton winning and I reminded him, that when we set out to do this, we promised each other that even if we lost, we would go down fighting. I want to see the glow of burning in Galliards plans before we walk away.”
