Bye Bye Shakey.....
Discussion
Is there confirmation the track will close , its a big site and I'm sure the homes may fit elsewhere on it?
I've not read any official statements from the owners or organisers , I was making quite a few plans to do more RWYB's next year and they will stop in their tracks if SCR does close
I've not read any official statements from the owners or organisers , I was making quite a few plans to do more RWYB's next year and they will stop in their tracks if SCR does close
liner33 said:
Is there confirmation the track will close , its a big site and I'm sure the homes may fit elsewhere on it?
I've not read any official statements from the owners or organisers , I was making quite a few plans to do more RWYB's next year and they will stop in their tracks if SCR does close
Even if you're right, the noise aspect would be regarded as a serious problem by preventing the developers getting buyers. I'm pretty sure the deal requires the track is closed. I've not read any official statements from the owners or organisers , I was making quite a few plans to do more RWYB's next year and they will stop in their tracks if SCR does close
ribaric said:
Even if you're right, the noise aspect would be regarded as a serious problem by preventing the developers getting buyers. I'm pretty sure the deal requires the track is closed.
Always has been a problem for local residents, like any long running motorsport venue, I'm sure that even if the houses were on the other side of the track they would still get complaints, its only a matter of time though , I've been going there for 25 years and year on year you can see the edge of Stratford slowly approaching the track Can't see the application on here https://apps.stratford.gov.uk/eplanning/AppSearchR...
I did a bit of digging when the application was first put in. If you look at the plans for the 400 homes they completey cut off the entrance to shakey....and then there are bell mouths to other proposed roads...that's a sign it will eventually expand to its full 3000 quota so I emailed CALA homes and said I was looking at buying a house but wondered what was to become of the drag strip....needless to say it's not what any of us want to hear...if they buy the land, they buy all of it and the strip will be shut
Here's the response I got
Many thanks for your recent email and please accept our apologies that the contact form didn’t work when you attempted- I will look to have this investigated and resolved asap.
With regards to our proposed development of 400 units at Long Marston Airfield, as outlined in our planning application we are proposing that the current uses including the drag strip would cease prior to commencement of the development. Please note that our planning application has not yet been determined.
Kind regards,
D** F*******r BSc (Hons) MSc
Land Buyer
I suppose all we can do is enjoy shakey while it lasts, it's been a great track for a lot of us over the years and has give loads of memories....unfortunately not a lot we can do about it, if the owners want to sell then that's that
Here's the response I got
Many thanks for your recent email and please accept our apologies that the contact form didn’t work when you attempted- I will look to have this investigated and resolved asap.
With regards to our proposed development of 400 units at Long Marston Airfield, as outlined in our planning application we are proposing that the current uses including the drag strip would cease prior to commencement of the development. Please note that our planning application has not yet been determined.
Kind regards,
D** F*******r BSc (Hons) MSc
Land Buyer
I suppose all we can do is enjoy shakey while it lasts, it's been a great track for a lot of us over the years and has give loads of memories....unfortunately not a lot we can do about it, if the owners want to sell then that's that
Edited by 37chevy on Tuesday 1st December 20:23
Edited by 37chevy on Tuesday 1st December 20:24
OK, I had better luck finding the application when I searched the second time, it is in Quinton parish, not Long Marston...
You can all see the plan at https://apps.stratford.gov.uk/eplanning/AppDetail....
Whilst I am as pissed off as anyone else it appears the time to fight this has passed us by.
Such a deal can only have come about between the land owner and the developer - I have to say if I was in Anthony Hodges shoes I would likely be doing the same thing as such a deal would assure the financial future of my family, whereas I can only imagine that his income from the activities on the airfield over the years must have been sporadic to say the least.
You can all see the plan at https://apps.stratford.gov.uk/eplanning/AppDetail....
Whilst I am as pissed off as anyone else it appears the time to fight this has passed us by.
Such a deal can only have come about between the land owner and the developer - I have to say if I was in Anthony Hodges shoes I would likely be doing the same thing as such a deal would assure the financial future of my family, whereas I can only imagine that his income from the activities on the airfield over the years must have been sporadic to say the least.
Can’t blame the land owners for wanting to secure their pension / family’s future.
I do wonder though if this decision was indeed due to this…
“The developer has previously tried to get permission for more homes on the site, which was originally put forward as one of five options for a new settlement in Stratford District Council’s Core Strategy.
But having been rejected in favour of proposals to build on land at Gaydon/Lighthorne Heath (GLH), it was put back into the key planning document after the authority was advised to increase its overall housing total from 11,300 homes to 14,480.”
Or possibly because Jaguar Landrover spat the dummy out when they heard the Gaydon/Lighthorne decision had been made. JLR recently leaking to the media that they’re in the frame to purchase Silverstone and re-locate their Gaydon operation, can’t imagine that would make local politicians very popular with voters?
Copied from SPC in reply from someone's question.
Thank you for your concern. At the time of writing the 2016 season of events and races will go ahead as planned. Only planning permission has been granted at present but do deals for the purchase of the land has been forthcoming or indeed signed as everyone seems to think. There is no time line of building work at present as there are a lot of permissions to be granted and further hoops to jump through before any building work can commence. What the land owner does with his land is his own concern and no one else's. But rest assured, the 2016 season go ahead with a possiblity for 2017 as well but its too early to confirm anything. We appreciate your concern. Hopefully we'll see you at the strip soon.
So it's not over just yet
Thank you for your concern. At the time of writing the 2016 season of events and races will go ahead as planned. Only planning permission has been granted at present but do deals for the purchase of the land has been forthcoming or indeed signed as everyone seems to think. There is no time line of building work at present as there are a lot of permissions to be granted and further hoops to jump through before any building work can commence. What the land owner does with his land is his own concern and no one else's. But rest assured, the 2016 season go ahead with a possiblity for 2017 as well but its too early to confirm anything. We appreciate your concern. Hopefully we'll see you at the strip soon.
So it's not over just yet
snakehips said:
Copied from SPC in reply from someone's question.
Thank you for your concern. At the time of writing the 2016 season of events and races will go ahead as planned. Only planning permission has been granted at present but do deals for the purchase of the land has been forthcoming or indeed signed as everyone seems to think. There is no time line of building work at present as there are a lot of permissions to be granted and further hoops to jump through before any building work can commence. What the land owner does with his land is his own concern and no one else's. But rest assured, the 2016 season go ahead with a possiblity for 2017 as well but its too early to confirm anything. We appreciate your concern. Hopefully we'll see you at the strip soon.
So it's not over just yet
That's good news, thanks for posting, as I expected a delay rather than a reprieve but any extra time is appreciated. Thank you for your concern. At the time of writing the 2016 season of events and races will go ahead as planned. Only planning permission has been granted at present but do deals for the purchase of the land has been forthcoming or indeed signed as everyone seems to think. There is no time line of building work at present as there are a lot of permissions to be granted and further hoops to jump through before any building work can commence. What the land owner does with his land is his own concern and no one else's. But rest assured, the 2016 season go ahead with a possiblity for 2017 as well but its too early to confirm anything. We appreciate your concern. Hopefully we'll see you at the strip soon.
So it's not over just yet
I wish the Hodges family only the best , they have been very patient and stalwart in their support of UK drag racing
Hang on chaps this application hasn't been determined yet. Why haven't people been bombarding the planners with objections? Maybe it's p*ssing in the wind but we should at least give it a try. This is drag racing history going down the pan and having only just got involved in a racecar after 40+ years hanging about the sport I'm a bit miffed. We need an alternative to the Pod surely? Get on the website and object. Or does anybody know some rich petrolhead who can buy the venue and kill off any residential development, which is plainly not needed but just lining people's pockets. A commercial development that would sit comfortably alongside the drag strip - eg a Jag Landrover expansion - now that would make sense.
Whatever happens, or doesn't, all this uncertainty is not going to help people find the enthusiasm to work hard to keep Shakey going. I believe the place has been run on the backs of a sizable band of dedicated volunteers and a good owner for years (bravo/kudos to all of them) but living under constant threat must take its toll.
Long Marston Airfield named as one of 14 New Garden Villages.
Sadly its days are numbered.
http://www.stratford-herald.com/63846-stratford-ge...
Sadly its days are numbered.
http://www.stratford-herald.com/63846-stratford-ge...
I live nearby and my brother as well as being into drag racing and loyal Bulldog attendee knows a couple of the people who rent space on the airfield from the landowner.
Apparently they've been given eviction notices but the Council have totally failed to offer them alternative sites which they agreed to do as part of the planing permission for the housing to take place. Meanwhile the landowner happily takes the rent each month.
Part of the PP is the builders paying for a new road link. At present the plan is being objected to by many locals as it involves greenbelt land and part of the road being on stilts due to flood plains.
The council seem quite proud that they have mugged the builders for 30 million for the new road, of course they aren't bright enough to realise it will be added to the price of the houses.
As an aside the developer is trying to get a grant to pay for the removal of contaminated soil etc, I mean, scrap yard, airfield and drag racing, of course the soil was gong to be perfect for growing roses.. Muppets..
Apparently they've been given eviction notices but the Council have totally failed to offer them alternative sites which they agreed to do as part of the planing permission for the housing to take place. Meanwhile the landowner happily takes the rent each month.
Part of the PP is the builders paying for a new road link. At present the plan is being objected to by many locals as it involves greenbelt land and part of the road being on stilts due to flood plains.
The council seem quite proud that they have mugged the builders for 30 million for the new road, of course they aren't bright enough to realise it will be added to the price of the houses.
As an aside the developer is trying to get a grant to pay for the removal of contaminated soil etc, I mean, scrap yard, airfield and drag racing, of course the soil was gong to be perfect for growing roses.. Muppets..
Gassing Station | Drag Racing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff