THE latest planning application submitted by DPP Planning on behalf of Brandon Estates has now been validated and is in the public domain.
As suggested in their prior communication with residents, the stated plans are for 104 houses to be accompanied by the potential for a speedway facility on the existing site.
The documents are all accessible via the Rugby Borough Council website.
We would urge speedway supporters and indeed local residents not to be fooled by these plans, which as we have already pointed out are nothing more than a deception, and a ruse to eventually end up with full housing on the site.
Plans for a speedway stadium with an initial capacity of 1,500 (just over 10 per cent of the existing capacity), with no stock car provision, have been submitted.
However, Brandon Estates have absolutely no intention of delivering a speedway facility themselves, and the small print of their planning application actually confirms this fact.
They also refer to their link with Gaming International, who were responsible for the closure of Swindon Speedway, with the two venues sharing the same planning agents.
This application represents a cynical, final attempt by Brandon Estates to secure planning permission.
The developer is fully aware that Rugby Borough Council has consistently supported restoring the stadium for sporting use, having released a statement just two weeks ago detailing the next phase of work toward this goal.
Furthermore, Brandon Estates are aware that the emerging Local Plan includes Policy W1B, which explicitly protects the stadium from any non-motorsport development. They are also aware that a highly credible consortium of businessmen with the necessary funding and desire to acquire and reinstate the venue to its former glory is in place.
The new proposals are disingenuous, and they are effectively inviting the Council to participate in a clear deception. This conduct is unacceptable. Their planning agents, DPP Planning, have already demonstrated their appalling tactics through similar actions in Swindon.
We are aware, too, of the actions of a conflicted Speedway Lane resident who has spent years deviously attempting to force the stadium's closure through misinformation, even meeting secretly last July with Brandon Estates to discuss this application.
And let's not forget, Brandon Estates have criminal convictions relating to the stadium.
These plans are totally non-compliant with National Planning Policy Framework, the emerging Local Plan and the decision of the Inspector at the Appeal of 2023/24.
We will submit a comprehensive response to the application in the coming weeks and will urge the local and racing communities once again to submit their own objections to defeat this proposal.
