an artist's impression of how the new speedway stadium could look
A MAJOR hurdle blocking a new speedway stadium for Swindon has been cleared.
Government planning inspectors have announced that they will not call in plans for the new Abbey Stadium - meaning that the project can now move ahead.
It is hoped that the new venue, which is included in plans for 450 houses, as well as office space, will be ready for the 2010 season.
Alun Rossiter, the boss of Swindon Robins, said: "This is absolutely fantastic news. It's the best thing that could have happened for Swindon Speedway.
"We were a little bit worried about what would happen and when, but this is a brilliant step forward for us.
"It's very exciting to have such a unique new speedway stadium in Swindon and I think it's something that will be great for the town as well.
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"There have been a lot of negative comments about the new stadium, so it's great to have some good news instead.
"The owners have been very helpful to us throughout and it's clear that we, the owners and the fans are all striving towards the same thing - a fantastic new stadium.
"Some of the fans have been critical about the car parking issue but with the park and ride in place it will be less of a walk than from the railway station to the County Ground. Some people just don't like change."
Darcia Gingell, the chairwoman of the Pit Crew supporters' group, said: "I'm delighted to hear that this major hurdle has been cleared.
"It's really exciting that we will have a brand new stadium with improved facilities to give Swindon a speedway venue that it can really be proud of.
"I don't think Swindon fans are too concerned how long it takes for the new stadium to be up and running as long as we can carry on using the old one and that there isn't a break in the speedway."
In 2006, the developers behind the new stadium, Gaming International, threatened the future of the Robins at the Abbey Stadium when their plans failed to include a speedway track.
But, after an Advertiser-backed campaign the company made a U-turn and included both a speedway and a greyhound track in their plans.
Councillors gave the green light to the latest project in February.
But there were still concerns that the Government would put a spanner in the works after it demanded to look more closely at the plans.
David Potter, the director of planning and transport strategy at Swindon Council, said that the Government's present policy was not to interfere unless necessary.
He said: "The Secretary Of State decided that there was not sufficient conflict.
"Now we need to conclude the legal agreements.
"It's not easy to say how long that could last but we want to make sure that the plans will deliver.
"We are determined to deliver a stadium, not just the promise of a stadium."
Coun Justin Tomlinson (Con, Abbey Meads), the cabinet member for leisure, culture and recreation, said: "This news is absolutely fantastic.
"It's great for the speedway fans as this is the final hurdle to secure the long and short-term future of speedway in Swindon."
Posted by: Grumpy, Swindon on 11:08am Mon 12 May 08
Let's hope some 'tree hugger' or NIMBY doesn't find any newts on the site - that's all we need. We'll also see whether Saunders or King rear their ugly heads and start objecting. If all that lot keep out of the way then it's great news.
Let's hope some 'tree hugger' or NIMBY doesn't find any newts on the site - that's all we need. We'll also see whether Saunders or King rear their ugly heads and start objecting. If all that lot keep out of the way then it's great news.
I wonder how chaotic the new exit off the 419 will be now?
I notice there's a pavement on the new road that I think would give a free view of events at the current stadium too
I wonder how chaotic the new exit off the 419 will be now?
I notice there's a pavement on the new road that I think would give a free view of events at the current stadium too
Posted by: swindonian&proud, swindon on 2:37pm Mon 12 May 08
Excellent!! As long as anyone who moves near the stadium DOESN'T complain about the noise. I live right by it and i love the drone of the engines, the music and the fireworks. Yet across the way someone from up north moved in 8 months ago and decided to complain!!! Just makes me want to slap people like that.
!! RESEARCH THE AREA YA TWITS !!
Excellent!! As long as anyone who moves near the stadium DOESN'T complain about the noise. I live right by it and i love the drone of the engines, the music and the fireworks. Yet across the way someone from up north moved in 8 months ago and decided to complain!!! Just makes me want to slap people like that.
!! RESEARCH THE AREA YA TWITS !!
Posted by: Keysey, Swindon on 4:11pm Mon 12 May 08
Like where your'e coming from Fish n nips. The Swindonians have to move with the times....Just think of Lee, Mads and the Troymeister parading their talents in such a stadia....!!!!
Like where your'e coming from Fish n nips. The Swindonians have to move with the times....Just think of Lee, Mads and the Troymeister parading their talents in such a stadia....!!!!
Posted by: fish n nips, Swindon on 4:15pm Mon 12 May 08
Thanks Keysey, it does sound an exciting idea.. hopefully it will incorporate a shop where i can purchase my Bomber Jackets and caps from rather than those old tables and branch cuttings they currently use to display them!
Thanks Keysey, it does sound an exciting idea.. hopefully it will incorporate a shop where i can purchase my Bomber Jackets and caps from rather than those old tables and branch cuttings they currently use to display them!
Posted by: FA Cup Ears, Swindon on 5:54pm Mon 12 May 08
I agree Fish, hopefully it will be part of the 'Nu Skool' Speedway stadia and look proper bo. Hopefully the view will be a tad better than the current view.
If this is in a huge hanger type building, will it have central heating? Even in the hottest days of the year its still freezing up there!!!
I agree Fish, hopefully it will be part of the 'Nu Skool' Speedway stadia and look proper bo. Hopefully the view will be a tad better than the current view.
If this is in a huge hanger type building, will it have central heating? Even in the hottest days of the year its still freezing up there!!!
[bold]Grumpy Wrote[/bold]
[quote]Let's hope some 'tree hugger' or NIMBY doesn't find any newts on the site - that's all we need. We'll also see whether Saunders or King rear their ugly heads and start objecting. If all that lot keep out of the way then it's great news.[/quote]
I think you'll find that most of us "nimbys" want to keep the town,s heritage. For myself, that includes the speedway stadium.
I would be one of the first to start moaning if we were to lose the stadium, for the sake of more housing and flats, as much as I don't want the Coate landscape spoiled or the Mechanics buried under a skyscraper.
I expect newcomers to the area, will move into the houses, complain about the noise, and call me a nimby, when I protest [bold]in favour[/bold] of keeping the stadium rather than more "exceptional quality" flats.
That's progress?
Proud to be a nimby.
Grumpy Wrote
Let's hope some 'tree hugger' or NIMBY doesn't find any newts on the site - that's all we need. We'll also see whether Saunders or King rear their ugly heads and start objecting. If all that lot keep out of the way then it's great news.
I think you'll find that most of us "nimbys" want to keep the town,s heritage. For myself, that includes the speedway stadium.
I would be one of the first to start moaning if we were to lose the stadium, for the sake of more housing and flats, as much as I don't want the Coate landscape spoiled or the Mechanics buried under a skyscraper.
I expect newcomers to the area, will move into the houses, complain about the noise, and call me a nimby, when I protest in favour of keeping the stadium rather than more "exceptional quality" flats.
That's progress?
Proud to be a nimby.
Posted by: Robert Feal-Martinez, Swindon on 9:22am Tue 13 May 08
Lets hope there will be no further delays, but this is Swindon remember, are the NSC going to complain about the houses, like they did about the Hotel at Blunsdon.
Lets hope there will be no further delays, but this is Swindon remember, are the NSC going to complain about the houses, like they did about the Hotel at Blunsdon.
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