An update on the Abbey Stadium has been issued by Swindon Borough Council.

Recently a planning application was made by DPP Planning asking to remove the requirement for the site on Lady Lane to be used for speedway and greyhound racing, prompting concerns from local people about the site's future. 

But councillor Kevin, Small, Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet member responsible for planning, has issued an update confirming that the local authority is against a change of use for the area, currently designated as for 'leisure' use only. 

Cllr Small said: “While we cannot pre-determine the outcome of any planning applications on the site, we want to make it very clear as an administration that we don’t support changing the designation for the stadium from its current leisure use, which is protected by existing planning consents.

“We are continuing the work to ensure that the planning conditions on the site haven't been breached and will take action where they have.”

The former speedway track and current greyhound racing venue has been the subject of an ongoing planning row, with the local authority launching a formal investigation into potential breaches in February.

Taylor Wimpey, who entered into an agreement with land owners Gaming International, to build houses at the Blunsdon site, but only if a new stadium was constructed, has denied any breaches have taken place.