The future of Coventry Stadium, Brandon

From the Save Coventry Speedway & Stox Campaign Group: Well, the Presentation is ready, the Local MP & Leader of the Council are coming, riders & drivers are coming, 3 local radio stations & BBC TV are coming. We just need supporters & residents to turn up in numbers. We know you won't let us down.

Thank you for that MR. Sounds like a good gathering, almost wish I had been there. Hey! Where's Lady G when you need her, imagine her riding in holding the 'Bees' banner.

Good work, guys! If I can generate any support from Australia, showing what an iconic venue Brandon is, even on the other side of the world, I will try! Former Bees riders and families that I know I can contact in this part of the world would include Bob Valentine, Phil Cain, Peter Gay, and the families of Nigel Boocock, Lionel Levy and Ken McKinlay. One of Queensland's speedway tracks (Pioneer Park) is actually in a place called Brandon! Let me know if it would help! PS - Dreamtime - perhaps the Lady Godiva routine would work all over again! Basically it's the same scenario - us against the rich Lord, isn't it? Wouldn't be hard to find a speedway bike for her, instead of a horse, ........ but they are a bugger to ride side-saddle! Any volunteers?

JW, be careful what you wish for

You offering, Dream?

Not to be wearing a pink body skin, but maybe draped in the Bees flag . . . and Dr Who to transport me back about 50yrs in the Tardis. We want to get more supporters in, MR, not scare them orrrrrf! I can't bear to imagine the sight!

Too large to transcribe, so here's a link to "Latest News - Rugby Local Plan" on the Save Coventry Speedway and Stox website. This sounds encouraging

Recent video showing the state of the stadium

Distressing, all in the false name of progress, or is it greed.

Says it all, doesn't it!

"Campaigners confident development of Brandon Stadium could be thrown out" - report

INDEPENDENT REPORT BOOSTS CAMPAIGN MAJOR NEWS this morning! Independent report confirms application to build on Brandon is NOT compliant with National Planning Policy Framework. Full details: AN independent report into the planning application on Brandon Stadium has firmly concluded that National Planning Policy Framework guidelines have NOT been met by the developers. Consultants WYG have reported to Rugby Borough Council after a thorough examination of documents both from representatives of the developers, and from the Save Coventry Speedway & Stock Car Campaign Group, who are seeking to secure the return of both sports to the area after the forced closure of the stadium at the end of the 2016 season. The developers submitted their planning application in January 2018, which at the time omitted a Sports Needs Assessment (SNA), which followed in September 2018. This sought to prove that the stadium was not viable, and that there was no ongoing need for a replacement, as suitable alternative provision existed elsewhere (for speedway, with Coventry operating at Leicester, and for stock cars at other venues within a 70-mile radius). The Campaign Group submitted extensive documentation to expose numerous untruths and inaccuracies throughout the planning material, and at a Public Meeting in November 2018 the former Leader of Rugby Council Michael Stokes announced the independent review would be commissioned prior to the Planning Committee hearing. The consultants met with all interested parties including representatives of the developers, the Campaign Group and governing bodies of both speedway and stock car racing earlier this year. Their report was issued to the developers and the Campaign Group in advance of going into the public domain on Monday September 30. A reminder that paragraph 97 of National Planning Policy Framework states that existing open space, sports and recreational buildings and land, including playing fields, should not be built on unless: a) an assessment has been undertaken which has clearly shown the open space, buildings or land to be surplus to requirements [NOTE: This is the section the developers are attempting to use to justify their plans]; or b) the loss resulting from the proposed development would be replaced by equivalent or better provision in terms of quantity and quality in a suitable location; or c) the development is for alternative sports and recreational provision, the benefits of which clearly outweigh the loss of the current or former use. Key points to emerge from the report:

Christmas Statement THE Campaign Group would like to take the opportunity to wish all speedway and stock car supporters our compliments of the festive season. We can also provide a brief update of the current position as we approach the end of 2019, the third year in which the sports have been absent from the area following the closure of Brandon Stadium by its current owners. The speed of the process remains frustratingly slow; however, there have been three highly significant events this year which we summarise below. First, the final and published version of the Brandon and Bretford Neighbourhood Plan in April firmly stated the view of the local community that the stadium should be retained as a sports facility for speedway and stock car racing. It also stated that the community is not persuaded by arguments that the stadium is not, or could not be made, viable at its location. Then there was the completion of the Rugby Local Plan, where the Government Inspector recognised the significance of Brandon Stadium as a sports venue, and therefore ensured an important amendment to the Plan to offer additional protection and safeguarding to existing sports and recreational buildings where there is clear ongoing need. Finally, there was the submission of the Independent Report commissioned by the Council, which fully aligned with our own representations and made it abundantly clear that the active Planning Application has totally failed to comply with National Planning Policy Framework guidelines. The Report was also extremely respectful of the significance of Brandon as an important sporting venue, and highlighted numerous examples to confirm that the applicants' case that the stadium is surplus to requirements, and that there is no ongoing need for the sports in the area, is completely deficient. No reaction has been submitted by the developers to this Report, but it is clear that the prospects of their planning application being approved are now far lower than they were twelve months ago. Indeed, we cannot see any possible justification for approval given the weight of evidence against it, as to do so would mean Rugby Council would be ignoring the findings of the independent consultant's report that they themselves commissioned. Those who thought, and probably hoped, that opposition to the scheme would weaken over time will have been left disappointed, as the clamour for the sports to return is in fact stronger than ever. Over that time, we have refuted every argument put forward by the developers, many of which appeared to be made in the hope that they would be read and accepted at face value by those with no real understanding of how the stadium operated, and what it meant to the local and far wider communities. We have rejected claims of non-viability and of no ongoing need. We have dismissed the ludicrous argument that the failed re-location of Coventry Speedway to Leicester in the National League was a satisfactory solution for supporters; and that suitable alternative sites exist in the local area to satisfy the needs of the stock car fraternity. All of our submissions have been made with detailed evidence, the strength of which was a major reason for the independent report being commissioned. What happens next, given the difficult position the developers now find themselves in, is uncertain - however, we are encouraged by an indication that they are prepared to meet with the representatives from the Campaign Group to discuss options. There are no indications at present of a date for the Planning Application to be taken to Committee. This has been delayed on multiple occasions over the last two years due to the requirement for further information. This information now appears to be in place, and it is clear from all of the documents submitted in response to the Planning Application that the needs of the sports should be considered before any development - something which should plainly have occurred in the first place before the outrageous events of three years ago. The battle to bring the sports back started at that time - and it will continue for as long as it takes. We do have the intention to stage another Public Meeting after the success of events held in autumn 2017 and 2018, but we feel the time to do that is when there is major new information to present. In the meantime, please be assured that the work very much continues to bring about the rightful outcome which we all want to see, and we remain optimistic that this can be achieved. We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and hope that 2020 proves a year to remember for all the right reasons.

Members may or not be aware that the council axe is hanging over the heads of the Birmingham Wheels stock car and karting complex due to redevelopment and they are looking to relocate. There may be a opportunity for discussions here.