PLANS have been unveiled for a brand new speedway stadium meaning the Swindon Robins will have a new home from next year.

Work could start as early May on the new stadium which will not only have new facilities for the riders but is being designed so it is ideal for television companies to broadcast events.

It will be built adjacent to the existing Abbey Stadium, built in 1949, which will then be demolished. Greyhound racing will also take place at the new venue.

Clarke Osbourne, of Gaming International which owns the land, says while it has taken time to get to this point the end result will be worth the wait.

He said: ““We are delighted to have got to this stage. We had planning permission a number of years ago but it was all held up by the recession.

“If everything goes to plan we would hope to start work in ten weeks so everything will be ready for next season.

“We have designed it so it will be for TV. A lot of people say this but it really will be state-of-the-art. There will be camera positions built in and the latest LED floodlights.”

The news has been welcomed by Swindon Robins manager Alun Rossiter who says the stadium will benefit the whole town.

“I am over the moon at the moment,” he said. “I started as a mascot here in 1969 and then rode for the team, captained the team and am now the manager so this is a really big day.

“This stadium was built in 1949 so there is a touch of sadness but we have to move forward. The track is fine but if you look at the rest of it, things are very run down.

“It is a great day and really exciting times for Speedway and the whole of Swindon.”

North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson spent many years as a councillor campaigning to save the stadium back in 2008.

He said: “This is an immensely proud moment for me. I led the campaign in 2008 to save the stadium so it is fantastic for the local community and the speedway fans.

“I am delighted that after many years these plans have now come forward. This is really good news.”