The chief executive of greyhound racing in Britain has hit out at the “political opportunism of Merton Council” as the Wimbledon Stadium prepares to close its gates for the final time.

The last greyhound racing track in London will be holding its final meeting on Saturday, March 25, as the stadium in Plough Lane prepares to be demolished in order to build a new home for AFC Wimbledon.

A last-ditch attempt to save the stadium was made by the Save Wimbledon Stadium Action Group (SWSAG) by applying for the site to be listed by Historic England, after an original listing request was refused in early 2016.

Although no decision has been formally made yet by Historic England, demolition on the site, which is also home to stock car racing, is scheduled to begin in April.

Dec 15: Stock car campaigners present petition signed by 13,600 people against new AFC Wimbledon stadium to Downing Street

Jan 9: AFC Wimbledon stadium: Final challenge for Plough Lane dreams as Wimbledon Stadium assessed for historic listing

All demolition and site preparation is planned to have finished by the end of the year, so that building work can begin in 2018.

AFC Wimbledon’s plans for the site include a brand new 20,000 seater stadium, which will begin as an 11,000 seater before being expanded, as well as 602 flats and a range of shops and amenities.

Wimbledon Times:

An artist's impression of the stadium from Sheppard Robson Architects

The chief executive of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain, Barry Faulkner, has spoken out against Merton Council’s decision to grant planning permission to the football team ahead of the final greyhound meeting.

In a statement, Mr Faulkner said: “It is very sad we are losing the last track with a London postcode, one at which I have enjoyed many cracking nights’ sport.

“While the primary reasons behind the closure are increasing residential land values and the political opportunism of Merton Council, there are also wider issues regarding the financing of the sport.

“Until such time as the greyhound racing receives a fair return for the betting industry for the excellent product it supplies, which would enable the sport to thrive, I fear other tracks could suffer the same fate.”

When asked for a response, Merton Council declined to comment.

The council first officially approved the new stadium plans at a planning meeting in December 2015, but it has been far from a smooth journey for the greyhound racers or AFC Wimbledon since then.

The current Wimbledon Stadium had been expected to officially close on June 18, 2016, but secured a six month extension to its lease after the former Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, made the decision to ‘call in’ the new stadium plans for further review.

The greyhound racers could have secured a two-year rolling contract if AFC Wimbledon’s plans were finally rejected. However the new Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, decided to hand the final decision back to Merton Council in August 2016.

April 19: The battle for Plough Lane: Greyhound racers extend their lease as AFC Wimbledon fans pile on the pressure​

Aug 22: 'All systems go': Sadiq Khan hands back Plough Lane AFC Wimbledon stadium decision to Merton Council

This was challenged by Wandsworth Council, which has remained a fierce critic of the stadium which sits on the border between the two boroughs, and called on the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Sajid Javid MP, to intervene.

In September Merton Council formally renewed support for the new stadium, and Mr Javid decided not to intervene.

Aug 31: Wandsworth Council demand secretary of state intervenes over Plough Lane after Sadiq Khan hands decision back to Merton​

Sep 16: Support for AFC Wimbledon's stadium on Plough Lane formally renewed by Merton Council​

Sep 27: AFC Wimbledon cleared for Plough Lane return​

Speaking in August last year, the Leader of Merton Council, Councillor Stephen Alambritis, described talk of a pre-determined decision on the fate of the stadium as “absolute tosh”.

He said: “There was no prior decision. There was a willingness on behalf of all the council in Merton to have the club back in the borough. We didn’t specify where. It’s a fairytale story, it’s an international story, and we wanted it back in the borough.

“The only planning application we received for Plough Lane has been AFC Wimbledon. We would have looked at any other application in the same way, but we didn’t receive any others.”

Are you going to the final greyhound meeting? Send your pictures and thoughts to pippa.allen@newsquest.co.uk