12/02/08 - Swindon Speedway Secured

Swindon Council granted planning permission tonight for the Abbey Stadium redevelopment and the adjacent housing / business park development, a successful conclusion to the long standing uncertainty over the potential development.

Initially developers sought planning permission for a housing / business park development with a new Abbey Stadium, but which was too small for Speedway use - throwing into jeopardy the very future of Swindon Speedway.

Speedway fans and local residents were rightly up in arms. There was cross party support at Swindon Council to block any development which did not safeguard Speedway provision. Their plans were thrown out.

Developers then brought forward revised plans which once again included Speedway, but there was concerns over the adjacent housing / business park development. The application was extremely complex and there was concern over the housing density / layout and highways issues, which would could have seen the application called in by the Government office. Therefore developers agreed to take the plans away and work with Council officers to revise the plans to bring forward an improved application, which was granted.

Throughout the process Cllr Justin Tomlinson chaired meetings with the Council and Developers to make sure we progressed to the improved application. Cllr Tomlinson also organised public meetings for both the speedway fans and local residents to be involved in the process.

Cllr Justin Tomlinson, I have worked extremely hard to both safeguard speedway provision both in the short and long term for Swindon and keep everyone informed of progress. It was also essential the adjacent development was suitable. The speedway fans can be rightly proud of all their hard work, their positive campaign has helped keep the cross-party support.