13/09/07 - Speedway Application Defered

Members of the Robins Pit Crew with team manager Alun Rossiter and
Cllr Justin Tomlinson ahead of the planning meeting

An eleventh hour compromise may have saved the day for the town's new speedway stadium.

The multi-million pound revamped venue in Blunsdon looks back on track after developers agreed to revise their plans.

During last night's planning committee meeting councillors decided to defer the planning application until their meeting in November - by which time more clarification will be given by developers on the amount of houses to be built on the site.

During the detailed phase of the planning process more information will be provided on the means of accessing the stadium, car parking and the changing over from employment land to residential usage.

Developers want to knock down the Abbey Stadium, home to greyhound racing and the Swindon Robins speedway team, and replace it with a new stadium, 450 homes and more than 16,000 square metres of offices.

Robins owner Terry Russell was encouraged by news of the deferral.

"We were disappointed by the setback earlier on but we have moved on from that. We remain positive in anticipation of the decision and look forward to enjoying the new stadium."

Swindon Robins manager Alun Rossiter, who spoke at the meeting, said: "Councillors need to do their bit for Swindon Speedway by backing these plans.

"We want to be the envy of the league by having a great stadium.

"It is currently dilapidated and in urgent need of re-developing.

"We are an internationally supported side and the equivalent of a football team in the Premier League.

"This is vitality important for our future."

Coun Justin Tomlinson, Swindon Council's cabinet member for leisure, culture and recreation, said: "It is important to secure the short and long term future of Swindon Speedway.

"It is crucial we protect local facilities such as this one.

"There are issues here by making sure people have access to the stadium with parking needing to be addressed.

"I would like to pay tribute to the speedway fans who have been positive and constructive in their campaign for the new stadium."

Plans were refused initially as officers said there was too much housing and not enough infrastructure or jobs.

Speedway supporters said they were shocked at the news at the time, but are now optimistic.

Darcia Gingell, chairman of the Pit Crew supporters' group, said: "We take this as cautiously positive news that the council and the developers are working together.

"There are good signs in place that we will get our new stadium."

Swindon Advertiser 13/09/07