MotoGP of... Wales
Discussion
Autosport said:
The construction of the planned £300m Circuit of Wales facility has been delayed again after a public inquiry was called to discuss the proposed British MotoGP venue.
Last autumn the Heads of the Valleys Development Company, which is overseeing the project, made an application to deregister 600 acres of common land at Rassau in Blaenau Gwent, where the circuit would be built.
It prompted development company director Chris Herring to target a December or January start date for construction of the circuit, for which several setbacks in securing planning permission led to it agreeing for Donington Park to host the 2015 British MotoGP round in its place.
But the Welsh Planning Inspectorate has now opted to call an eight-day public inquiry, which had initially been mooted last April, to hear evidence over the development's use and environmental impact in sessions at Blaenau Gwent council offices in Ebbw Vale in March.
A statement from the Heads of the Valleys Development Company said it supported the inquiry, insisting this would be "the final hurdle" in the process, claiming work would begin on the site swiftly if it produces a positive outcome.
"The planning process is a lengthy one and we will continue to work with the planning body to ensure on-site works start as soon as possible in 2015," said Michael Carrick, the project's chief executive.
"We are still aiming to have phase one site-wide and circuit infrastructure ready to host MotoGP when completed.
"This is a hugely important development, not just for the regeneration of Blaenau Gwent, but also for the UK economy.
"It's critical that we ensure every detail is considered in the planning process before construction works can commence."
The Welsh Assembly is set to host a short debate on the Circuit of Wales later today (Wednesday), chaired by one of the project's main opponents, North Wales AM Antoinette Sandbach.
The inquiry, scheduled to begin on March 10, could cast doubt over whether the Welsh venue would be ready to host the 2016 British MotoGP round.
Planning inspector Emyr Jones will make a recommendation to Wales First Minister Carwyn Jones, who would then make a decision over the project within four weeks.
However, that could then go to judicial review, which would put pressure on developers to decide where to host the event in 2016 as the minimum 12-month timeline to build the circuit means it may not be ready with construction pushed back to later this year.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/117411Last autumn the Heads of the Valleys Development Company, which is overseeing the project, made an application to deregister 600 acres of common land at Rassau in Blaenau Gwent, where the circuit would be built.
It prompted development company director Chris Herring to target a December or January start date for construction of the circuit, for which several setbacks in securing planning permission led to it agreeing for Donington Park to host the 2015 British MotoGP round in its place.
But the Welsh Planning Inspectorate has now opted to call an eight-day public inquiry, which had initially been mooted last April, to hear evidence over the development's use and environmental impact in sessions at Blaenau Gwent council offices in Ebbw Vale in March.
A statement from the Heads of the Valleys Development Company said it supported the inquiry, insisting this would be "the final hurdle" in the process, claiming work would begin on the site swiftly if it produces a positive outcome.
"The planning process is a lengthy one and we will continue to work with the planning body to ensure on-site works start as soon as possible in 2015," said Michael Carrick, the project's chief executive.
"We are still aiming to have phase one site-wide and circuit infrastructure ready to host MotoGP when completed.
"This is a hugely important development, not just for the regeneration of Blaenau Gwent, but also for the UK economy.
"It's critical that we ensure every detail is considered in the planning process before construction works can commence."
The Welsh Assembly is set to host a short debate on the Circuit of Wales later today (Wednesday), chaired by one of the project's main opponents, North Wales AM Antoinette Sandbach.
The inquiry, scheduled to begin on March 10, could cast doubt over whether the Welsh venue would be ready to host the 2016 British MotoGP round.
Planning inspector Emyr Jones will make a recommendation to Wales First Minister Carwyn Jones, who would then make a decision over the project within four weeks.
However, that could then go to judicial review, which would put pressure on developers to decide where to host the event in 2016 as the minimum 12-month timeline to build the circuit means it may not be ready with construction pushed back to later this year.
Something's not right about that. It already avoided call-in post-planning approval in 2013. It can't be called in for the same thing AFAIK if the decision has already been made to not call it in previously.
My understanding was that there was to be a Public Inquiry into the de-registration of common land.
ETA: That's exactly what it is for
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wale...
"The eight day hearing in Ebbw Vale will examine the request to take over 250 hectares (600 acres) of common land."
My understanding was that there was to be a Public Inquiry into the de-registration of common land.
ETA: That's exactly what it is for
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wale...
"The eight day hearing in Ebbw Vale will examine the request to take over 250 hectares (600 acres) of common land."
LoonR1 said:
Lincsblokey said:
Never going to happen. Never.
Wow, we're 100% in agreement. Getting rid of the bilge that is silverstone.
Pumping money into Donington Park.
I dropped by DP last week (picked up some parts for a mate from office)
It's a hive of activity, and looks good.
If the track can't host the moto gp in 2016 the contract with Dorna is then void and it would have to be renegotiated.
A request has been made for further money from the welch assembly, this is subject to the company having 100% of private funding in place.
They are 200 million short on private funding, after a freedom of information request was sent to them.
With an 18 month build and f**k all going on..........
A request has been made for further money from the welch assembly, this is subject to the company having 100% of private funding in place.
They are 200 million short on private funding, after a freedom of information request was sent to them.
With an 18 month build and f**k all going on..........
The Circuit of Wales was mentioned again as making some significant progress. Doesn't look like it to me, it just seems like opportune timing to remind everyone that this will never happen
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-34092692
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-34092692
king Disneyland. Approval for the deregistration of common land finally given by WG.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wale...
AFAIK that should be all the major planning hurdles out of the way.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wale...
AFAIK that should be all the major planning hurdles out of the way.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-35526111
The thing is still pootling along. Loon's got the huff after being booted off PistonHeads and is spending his insurance millions on a project he backed from the beginning.
The thing is still pootling along. Loon's got the huff after being booted off PistonHeads and is spending his insurance millions on a project he backed from the beginning.
CQ8 said:
I hope this does happen, it would be great to have a another big GP circuit in the UK.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff