The future of Coventry Stadium, Brandon

Speedway would not really be feasible at the Ricoh. To stage the British Grand Prix at Cardiff they have to construct the track on a sort of platform over the pitch, at great expense, and it is only possible because it attracts a huge crowd and lots of TV revenue once a year. A permanent track in this sort of stadium would be impossible, there is just no room. Historically there have been many examples of venues where speedway is shared with football on a permanent basis but they involve plenty of room around the pitch. Ones I can remember visiting are The Shay (Halifax) and Somerton Park (Newport). The only one currently doing so is Shielfield Park, the home of Berwick Rangers. Wembley did stage the World Final for many years and also league speedway, but the sides of the pitch had to be removed to construct the straights. It would be a tragedy if Brandon ceased to exist as a speedway venue, given its history and heritage. I would hope that a new site could be found but I have serious doubts. The possibility of track-sharing at somewhere like Leicester, or even oblivion, is looming on the horizon.

Link to Coventry Telegraph report on Saurday's meeting

There are, I believe, restrictions on the use of Beaumont Park, so ground share with the old enemy from along the M69 is unlikely

I am not a great speedway supporter but I would hate to lose the sport from this city, however if the proposed development at Brandon does go ahead an alternative venue is needed. My ideal location would be at the Royal Showground or NAC at Stoneleigh. •   Good road network •   Plenty of parking •   Utilities in place •   Hotel on site •   No nearby housing This site is ideal and could host other actives eg. greyhounds, show jumping etc. The now defunct Grand Ring would make into the track and the site is in much need of development. This would be very similar to the East of England showground which I believe Peterborough use very successfully. Perhaps my ideas could be passed on to anyone who has more interest in the sport than I do and who knows what could come of it.

I think you make a very sound point, especially based on the Peterborough idea. The only problem would undoubtedly be the residents of Stoneleigh who are well known for their Nimbyism. This is a village that won't even allow a pub there, so the mere threat of a bit of distant noise from the bikes will no doubt have them making their placards within the hour!

The residents of Stoneleigh include Martin Ochiltree, I believe

It wasnt the residents who didnt want a pub it was Lord Leigh himself who wouldnt allow one. Eventually he relented and gave permission for a working mans club, whether its still functioning I dont know.

That makes it even worse then. Why would one man, no matter how jumped-up, think he had the right to tell people what they could and couldn't do. Unless, of course, those people elected him. I'm afraid that, wherever a new track was planned, the locals would be objecting without even giving it consideration. That's why I fear for the future of the Bees.

Well, I assume you own your house and garden so you have the right to decide whether a pub can be built on your lawn. Lord Leigh had the same rights on land he owned.

I do indeed own my property. The difference being that I actually worked for what I own. Stoneleigh has always seemed like a serfdom to me. I wonder if they still have to pay him a tithe.

I seem to remember that tithes were paid to the church and the landowner collected rents. But, aside from that I guess that when you die then your 'estate' will revert to the state and not be given to family members - because they won't have worked for it.

Yes, you're right, Beesman. The real point is that if and when Brandon ceases to be a speedway venue, it will be incredibly difficult to secure a new venue. Whether it be the Nimby brigade, crusty old lords of the manor or whatever, there will always be objections. I wonder if there are any other possible venues in the area.

I must admit the NAC is the best suggestion I've heard so far. The other major factor that is now rearing its ugly head is that of 'time'. For the Bees to be up and running at an alternative venue in two years time, a site needs to have been already sourced. The hoops that councils insist upon prospective motor sports stadium owners jumping through are extremely time consuming. As Mr D-Di correctly observes, nobody wants a speedway track near them (apart from Bees fans.) The problem of noise seems to be the critical factor and there are various strict criteria that must be met. I have this information from an individual here in Cornwall who is trying to revive the sport in the county. It only needs one complaint from a 'local' and the whole project can be set back by months if not scrapped altogether. My fear is that two years is already too short a period of time to find a suitable relocation site. Talking to a chap at Swindon Speedway the other week, he informed me that the Abbey Stadium is going to be demolished in the next couple of years due to residents on a new housing estate complaining about the noise. When I pointed out that the stadium was there long before the houses, he said the prospective house purchasers were told that it was a Greyhound Stadium, with no mention of speedway!! I guess you have to blame the solicitors who carried out the pre-purchase searches. The happy conclusion however, is that a new stadium is being built at Swindon very close to the site of the old one, with suitable high wall around it to muffle the noise!! Finally,I just hope that negotiations are taking place that 'Joe Public' is not privy to at present. It may be a forlorn hope, but it's all we have at present.

In response to questions about why there has been little or no news regarding the possible replacement stadium, Jeremy Heaver has said: "Firstly it is impossible to keep fans informed if we wish to build another stadium by conducting private discussions with councils and landowners who are concerned about the backlash from local residents at any new site ahead of a detailed planning application. We need to have all the right information and studies ahead of such an application. I have walked, talked numerous sites which have failed the acid test at different stages and frankly would not have got as far as they did if we were doing it in public. I am currently looking at two good sites but I cannot say any more than that at this stage. When the time is right we will need the speedway and stock car community to support us but at this stage we need to work in private."