PLANS for a new speedway stadium in Swindon could be at risk.
Swindon Council had approved the £6m proposals, but Secretary of State Baroness Andrews has issued an Article 14 order, which could see the plans go to public inquiry.
The process could take months and now the Stadium owners, Gambling International, fear a major partner may pull out, causing the entire scheme to collapse.
The reason for Government intervention is the stadium plans are linked with a scheme to build 450 houses on adjoining land, which is outlined for employment use, not residential.
For the full story and analysis, see tomorrow's Adver
9:27am Thursday 20th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: dc, swindon on 10:06am Thu 20 Mar 08
thanks labour
Posted by: john c, swindon on 10:20am Thu 20 Mar 08
Oh for Christ's sake why dont they just build it.
Oh for Christ's sake why dont they just build it.
Posted by: Ian13, Swindon on 10:31am Thu 20 Mar 08
Where are our two MP's when you need them?
Where are our two MP's when you need them?
Posted by: Justin Tomlinson, Taw Hill, Swindon on 10:45am Thu 20 Mar 08
The Labour MP for Swindon North claimed to have personally saved the Speedway last October in a letter sent out to local residents - it did make the speedway fans chuckle as the plans hadn't even come to Swindon Council planning committee at that stage - sigh.
I have been heavily involved with trying to save the Speedway (and secure a residential development on the adjacent land) from the outset and in some ways it is not a suprise as the application included a major change of land use (from light industrial to residential). This will no doubt be why the Government has picked it up.
I just hope the common sense prevails as local residents, speedway fans, cross-party Council support etc were all in favour of the application.
These will be anxious times for all. I certainly know Swindon Council will continue to do all it can to help.
The Labour MP for Swindon North claimed to have personally saved the Speedway last October in a letter sent out to local residents - it did make the speedway fans chuckle as the plans hadn't even come to Swindon Council planning committee at that stage - sigh.
I have been heavily involved with trying to save the Speedway (and secure a residential development on the adjacent land) from the outset and in some ways it is not a suprise as the application included a major change of land use (from light industrial to residential). This will no doubt be why the Government has picked it up.
I just hope the common sense prevails as local residents, speedway fans, cross-party Council support etc were all in favour of the application.
These will be anxious times for all. I certainly know Swindon Council will continue to do all it can to help.
Posted by: Donkey, Swindon on 11:05am Thu 20 Mar 08
Some very typical remarks above. Swindon Robins and their small band of 2,500 supporters, myself included, are having their expectations dogged by rules and regulations which were put in place for a purpose.
These hurdles are frustrating, but the way in which Gambling International are making time-pressured threats, in the Adver's story, of a major backer pulling out reeks of a recent planning upset regarding the Bath University site at Coate.
Forcing the hand of the Secretary Of State's office is probably not the way to go about these matters.
One wonders why all these little inducements, like a dogs / speedway stadium have to be supported by more housing? It proves the enterprises cannot survive without other means.
As for political point scoring, who gives a monkeys, Justin, who is behind the continuation of Swindon Speedway, it was there before you were born and before Michael Wills had ever heard of Swindon, let's not use it just because the local elections are on the horizon!
Some very typical remarks above. Swindon Robins and their small band of 2,500 supporters, myself included, are having their expectations dogged by rules and regulations which were put in place for a purpose.
These hurdles are frustrating, but the way in which Gambling International are making time-pressured threats, in the Adver's story, of a major backer pulling out reeks of a recent planning upset regarding the Bath University site at Coate.
Forcing the hand of the Secretary Of State's office is probably not the way to go about these matters.
One wonders why all these little inducements, like a dogs / speedway stadium have to be supported by more housing? It proves the enterprises cannot survive without other means.
As for political point scoring, who gives a monkeys, Justin, who is behind the continuation of Swindon Speedway, it was there before you were born and before Michael Wills had ever heard of Swindon, let's not use it just because the local elections are on the horizon!
Posted by: Robin Harris, Swindon on 11:10am Thu 20 Mar 08
Typical Labour. They propose 1,000's of houses for Swindon then block this. The light industrial use is a non starter as the land has been allocated for this a long time with nothing happening. Apart from the fact that the use of the land was changed under the previous Labour council several years ago to accomodate a large single manufacturing development.
Wills and Labour do nothing as usual except toe the party line. They only take credit when things happen but don't take the blame when it doesn't.
Typical Labour. They propose 1,000's of houses for Swindon then block this. The light industrial use is a non starter as the land has been allocated for this a long time with nothing happening. Apart from the fact that the use of the land was changed under the previous Labour council several years ago to accomodate a large single manufacturing development.
Wills and Labour do nothing as usual except toe the party line. They only take credit when things happen but don't take the blame when it doesn't.
Posted by: Justin Tomlinson, Taw Hill, Swindon on 11:14am Thu 20 Mar 08
Donkey if you read my full posting I was quite clear in saying it had cross party support.
We all want the same outcome so lets hope common sense prevails with the Government inspectors.
Donkey if you read my full posting I was quite clear in saying it had cross party support.
We all want the same outcome so lets hope common sense prevails with the Government inspectors.
Posted by: H, Up the Hill on 12:32pm Thu 20 Mar 08
Wow...Justin Tomlinson....is there anything you can't do?
Wow...Justin Tomlinson....is there anything you can't do?
Posted by: malkym on 1:33pm Thu 20 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Ian13[/bold] wrote:
Where are our two MP's when you need them?[/quote] Toeing the party line as usual - you know Bandwagon Bertha and Willingless Willis
Ian13 wrote:
Where are our two MP's when you need them?
Toeing the party line as usual - you know Bandwagon Bertha and Willingless Willis
Posted by: Ian13, Swindon on 1:58pm Thu 20 Mar 08
[quote][bold]malkym[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Ian13[/bold] wrote: Where are our two MP's when you need them?[/quote] Toeing the party line as usual - you know Bandwagon Bertha and Willingless Willis[/quote] or they're out spending their expenses in John Lewis'
malkym wrote:
Ian13 wrote: Where are our two MP's when you need them?
Toeing the party line as usual - you know Bandwagon Bertha and Willingless Willis
or they're out spending their expenses in John Lewis'
Posted by: westerner, out West on 2:29pm Thu 20 Mar 08
Ian13 and Malkym didn't you know that they were voting in last nights lobby,to close the post offices that they have been claiming the Broon Administration should keep open. Interesting to see that the "Adver" hasn't covered Snelgroves change of heart!!
Ian13 and Malkym didn't you know that they were voting in last nights lobby,to close the post offices that they have been claiming the Broon Administration should keep open. Interesting to see that the "Adver" hasn't covered Snelgroves change of heart!!
Posted by: swindonlad, swindon on 6:50am Fri 21 Mar 08
the government wants swindon to build 10,000s of new houses & then the council & swindon speedway plan 450 to save the speedway they put the brakes on it!!
letters to the mps complaining they are voting to close our post offices & at the same time their government seriously damages the local speedway team's prospects
the government wants swindon to build 10,000s of new houses & then the council & swindon speedway plan 450 to save the speedway they put the brakes on it!!
letters to the mps complaining they are voting to close our post offices & at the same time their government seriously damages the local speedway team's prospects
Posted by: Robert Feal-Martinez, Swindon on 10:40am Fri 21 Mar 08
westerner, you mentioned the post office closure and Anne Snelgrove, take a look at this comment from her, shortly before she yet again voted with the Government.
[bold]Anne Snelgrove (PPS (Rt Hon Ruth Kelly, Secretary of State), Department for Transport, South Swindon, Labour) Link to this | Hansard source
I have been listening to the debate today with great interest. Will the Minister tell me how voting for the Conservative motion would save a single sub-post office in this country?[/bold]
westerner, you mentioned the post office closure and Anne Snelgrove, take a look at this comment from her, shortly before she yet again voted with the Government.
Anne Snelgrove (PPS (Rt Hon Ruth Kelly, Secretary of State), Department for Transport, South Swindon, Labour) Link to this | Hansard source
I have been listening to the debate today with great interest. Will the Minister tell me how voting for the Conservative motion would save a single sub-post office in this country?
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