THE Campaign Group now calls on ALL speedway and stock car supporters to submit their reaction to the planning application recently submitted by Brandon Estates.
Below we present some of the points which could form the basis of a response, but we must stress each letter/e-mail must be a personal one, and not seeming to form part of a petition.
We will be contacting around 1,000 local residents later this week with a hand-delivered four-page document containing information specific to them as home-owners, and the ways in which they may look to object.
From the point of view of the continuation of sporting use, the planning documentation is available online and there are numerous areas of controversy and contradiction – not to mention those which are downright insulting to all who have spent their time at the stadium.
We would particularly draw your attention to the information contained within “9189 Planning Statement,” “Statement of Community Involvement,” and “Coventry Stadium – Viability NTS Document For Public Record” (the latter originally having been withheld but subsequently released on request of several parties).
Other sections will be of interest to those with specific expertise in various areas, and are open to question in a number of ways.
Particular focus should given to sections 6.35 – 6.45 of the Planning Statement, which incredibly include an implied assertion that a Coventry Bees team racing at Leicester Stadium is somehow a better solution than Brandon, and also make sweeping generalisations as to the current state of speedway, stock car and greyhound racing (even though the latter was never a primary usage of Brandon and is really irrelevant to the whole debate).
The nature of the Planning Application as a whole has been designed to provide the false impression that the owners took possession of a stadium which had already failed/ceased, and are now seeking to change the use of the land as if they are providing some kind of public service.
What even they cannot dispute is that their initial consultation of October 2014 resulted in over 90% of responses being negative, whilst three years later that number had only slightly reduced to 85%. Quite simply, an overwhelming majority do not want this redevelopment.
We will be making our own significant representations as a Campaign Group, addressing many issues contained within the documentation, and will be registering to speak when the Planning Committee consider the application.
Responses from supporters of speedway and stock cars should include some personal content, for example your own memories of major events or happy times spent there.
You may also want to mention two major factors which the developers have yet to get around: firstly, the stadium lies in the green belt – and that only a small portion of the site is brown field, not all of it as is repeatedly stated.
Secondly, the history and heritage of the stadium, and the need to protect sporting venues of this type – plus the ongoing need for a speedway and stock car facility in the area.
Make no mistake, the rhetoric concerning the ‘unviability’ of the stadium is not only an attempt to justify knocking it down; it is also a bid to disclaim any responsibility for making significant provision for a replacement, which legislation confirms should be provided for in the case of ongoing need.
We would urge you to avoid being critical of Rugby Council in your submissions, as there is nothing more they could have done at this stage – with a reminder that the stadium has not been included in the Local Plan for development.
Your submissions must include your name, address and a reference to the planning application number R18/0186, and should be submitted before March 1, 2018.
There are three ways to submit:
*Online at planningportal.rugby.gov.uk (search for Coventry Stadium and follow the Comment link at the bottom of the page).
*By post to Erica Buchanan, Rugby Borough Council, Town Hall, Evreux Way, Rugby CV21 2RR
Your submissions do not need to be too lengthy – try to avoid going in excess of one page if possible – but every one, from wherever in the country/world it is received, is relevant.
If you have ever visited Brandon, or have any knowledge of the history of the stadium and what it means to so many thousands of people – PLEASE make that submission this month. It could be vital to the campaign to bring the sports back.
