Brandon Update

[Toady]

18 minutes ago, iainb said:

I don't think they can, thought this was the final decision. I don't know if it applies to that specific planning application though... could they submit another one with a running track instead of a football pitch for example... or a Speedway stadium, now there's an idea!

I was under the impression that they had six weeks to appeal on points of law relating to the inspectors decision.

[Dave Jones]

3 minutes ago, Toady said:

I was under the impression that they had six weeks to appeal on points of law relating to the inspectors decision.

They did & i think the 6 week period expired last Friday.

[1Tsunami]

Could BE ask for an excessive rent for the hire and or only allow access during race day.

[Toady]

29 minutes ago, 1Tsunami said:

Could BE ask for an excessive rent for the hire and or only allow access during race day.

I guess as the owner they could do anything, but the costs  must be mounting up so it really depends how deep their pockets are.

[heathen52]

I know at one time last year development land was changing hands for in excess of £1 million pounds per acre, how big is the Brandon site ?.

[ch958]

28 minutes ago, heathen52 said:

I know at one time last year development land was changing hands for in excess of £1 million pounds per acre, how big is the Brandon site ?.

its not development land if you can't get planning permission, reduces the value considerably

[heathen52]

3 hours ago, ch958 said:

its not development land if you can't get planning permission, reduces the value considerably

We will see, my money is on it being developed, eventually..

[Toady]

Surely any potential future applications would have to take into account the inspectors reasons for refusal which were heavily weighted around the loss of the  stadium with its established use not being surplus to requirements, and that the ‘benefits’ of the alternative provision do not outweigh its loss.

With that in mind any alternative provision would have to be “better” than a 3G pitch and invariably cost BE even more money.

[naffer]

12 hours ago, Toady said:

Surely any potential future applications would have to take into account the inspectors reasons for refusal which were heavily weighted around the loss of the  stadium with its established use not being surplus to requirements, and that the ‘benefits’ of the alternative provision do not outweigh its loss.

With that in mind any alternative provision would have to be “better” than a 3G pitch and invariably cost BE even more money.

Absolutely this

 

Brandon estates only hope is that stock cars and speedway somehow disappears at some stage in the future removing the loss of the stadium argument.

But as the toadmeister said before have they deep enough pockets to keep losing money.

they bought the land evicted motorsports and have had no return on it for seven years ,only costs.

maybe it’s loose change for BE maybe not 

up the bees 

[IainB]

20 hours ago, Toady said:

Surely any potential future applications would have to take into account the inspectors reasons for refusal which were heavily weighted around the loss of the  stadium with its established use not being surplus to requirements, and that the ‘benefits’ of the alternative provision do not outweigh its loss.

With that in mind any alternative provision would have to be “better” than a 3G pitch and invariably cost BE even more money.

They could easily do a Swindon though, include a flat pack Speedway stadium in the plans, sell the houses and then pull the stadium down

[noaksey]

There may of course be a relaxation in planning laws at some point by a future government if BE want to/can play the long game 

[Gambo]

NO APPEAL FROM BRANDON ESTATES! 

As posted by the SCS group.

WE have now received official confirmation that stadium owners Brandon Estates have not chosen to pursue a High Court challenge to the outcome of the recent planning inquiry.
The appeal against the refusal of planning permission, arising from the November 2022 Planning Committee decision at Rugby Borough Council, was dismissed by inspector Helen Hockenhull in mid-January, after evidence from all parties had been heard last autumn.
The remaining option available to the appellants would have been a Judicial Review based on a legal challenge (rather than a challenge to the decision itself).
We understand speedway and stock car fans, and local residents, have been eager to know what might happen next, and there has been plenty of speculation; however, we had to wait for a six-week period to expire, which was the window in which the High Court challenge could be submitted.
Recent correspondence with the Planning Inspectorate has confirmed there has been no challenge.
We are naturally delighted that this marks the end of this particular part of the process, and also that our approach to each stage has been vindicated.
We must once again place on record our thanks to everyone from the sporting and local community who stepped up in such spectacular numbers last summer to assist us with the cost of legal representation.
Anyone who watched the planning inquiry, and will therefore now understand the way it was conducted, will have seen how being represented in this manner was crucial to our chances of success.
Likewise to our witnesses and those who spoke in support of the stadium at the inquiry, your honesty and passion shone through under difficult scrutiny, and it is sincerely appreciated.
There is now much for us to consider as a Campaign Group, doubtless with further meetings to be arranged over the coming weeks.
At this stage it is too early to give any clear indication over what is to follow, or any timescales, other than to say that at every stage of the planning application we have worked through potential scenarios and considered our strategy under every likely circumstance.
We thank everyone for their support – it has been hugely appreciated, and never more so than during the time of the Appeal – and can assure you that with this huge hurdle cleared, we retain an unstinting commitment to get speedway and stock car racing back to their rightful place at Brandon Stadium, and finally bring this saga to an end for the benefit of both the sports and the local community.

[Skodaman]

On 3/13/2024 at 11:07 AM, Gambo said:

NO APPEAL FROM BRANDON ESTATES! 

As posted by the SCS group.

WE have now received official confirmation that stadium owners Brandon Estates have not chosen to pursue a High Court challenge to the outcome of the recent planning inquiry.
The appeal against the refusal of planning permission, arising from the November 2022 Planning Committee decision at Rugby Borough Council, was dismissed by inspector Helen Hockenhull in mid-January, after evidence from all parties had been heard last autumn.
The remaining option available to the appellants would have been a Judicial Review based on a legal challenge (rather than a challenge to the decision itself).
We understand speedway and stock car fans, and local residents, have been eager to know what might happen next, and there has been plenty of speculation; however, we had to wait for a six-week period to expire, which was the window in which the High Court challenge could be submitted.
Recent correspondence with the Planning Inspectorate has confirmed there has been no challenge.
We are naturally delighted that this marks the end of this particular part of the process, and also that our approach to each stage has been vindicated.
We must once again place on record our thanks to everyone from the sporting and local community who stepped up in such spectacular numbers last summer to assist us with the cost of legal representation.
Anyone who watched the planning inquiry, and will therefore now understand the way it was conducted, will have seen how being represented in this manner was crucial to our chances of success.
Likewise to our witnesses and those who spoke in support of the stadium at the inquiry, your honesty and passion shone through under difficult scrutiny, and it is sincerely appreciated.
There is now much for us to consider as a Campaign Group, doubtless with further meetings to be arranged over the coming weeks.
At this stage it is too early to give any clear indication over what is to follow, or any timescales, other than to say that at every stage of the planning application we have worked through potential scenarios and considered our strategy under every likely circumstance.
We thank everyone for their support – it has been hugely appreciated, and never more so than during the time of the Appeal – and can assure you that with this huge hurdle cleared, we retain an unstinting commitment to get speedway and stock car racing back to their rightful place at Brandon Stadium, and finally bring this saga to an end for the benefit of both the sports and the local community.

Unfortunately, a new modified planning application is an option that BE can use!!!

[Dave Jones]

7 minutes ago, Skodaman said:

Unfortunately, a new modified planning application is an option that BE can use!!!

I think we all understant that is a possibility, & as the latest update states the group have"considered their strategy under every likely circumstance". However you view the situation there can be no doubt that the group have performed a minor miracle getting us this far, with huge support from the council, MP's , the residents of the local area, &supporters from UK and futher afield and deserve massive credit for what has been achieved to date.

[1 valve]

33 minutes ago, Dave Jones said:

There can be no doubt that the group have performed a minor miracle getting us this far, with huge support from the council, MP's , the residents of the local area, &supporters from UK and futher afield and deserve massive credit for what has been achieved to date.

Absolutely "spot on". A tremendous achievement by all concerned in the Battle to keep Brandon away from the clutches of developers and maintaining hopes alive for the eventual return of Stox & speedway. Unfortunately, the war has yet to be won so no doubt more fights will arise.
However, it does look like, at least,  the end of the beginning as been established!

Edited March 14 by 1 valve

[Toady]

1 hour ago, Skodaman said:

Unfortunately, a new modified planning application is an option that BE can use!!!

Of course they can. I don’t think anybody (SoS) is under the illusion that they don’t have that option. However as has been stated before any new application would have take full account of the inspectors decision around the stadium not being surplus to requirements and the many other issues highlighted by her

[1 valve]

Maybe, rather than continuing to regard Brandon Estates as the enemy, time now for all vested parties to work together with the aim of forming a resolution to the current stalemate.
One route could be to explore how Brandon Estates could partake with others in creating/developing/building a "National Motor sports Arena" to accommodate such sports, Speedway, Stox, Go-kart's, MotoX, Drifting and stunt events etc. Maximising utilisation of the facility would be based on regular events for the paying public to attend as well as training and experience based events across most if not all of the sports featured. 
lots of hoops to jump through, but maybe this suggestion is worth considering?
 

[1Tsunami]

On 3/15/2024 at 11:55 AM, 1 valve said:

Maybe, rather than continuing to regard Brandon Estates as the enemy, time now for all vested parties to work together with the aim of forming a resolution to the current stalemate.
One route could be to explore how Brandon Estates could partake with others in creating/developing/building a "National Motor sports Arena" to accommodate such sports, Speedway, Stox, Go-kart's, MotoX, Drifting and stunt events etc. Maximising utilisation of the facility would be based on regular events for the paying public to attend as well as training and experience based events across most if not all of the sports featured. 
lots of hoops to jump through, but maybe this suggestion is worth considering?
 

Yes. BE still own the site so have to be involved for sports like speedway can return. Can't see it as being an easy path for speedway to return as BE could just stall with any offer for the rent knowing that sometimes in the future they will go away. Sad  

[1 valve]

On 3/20/2024 at 11:28 AM, 1Tsunami said:

Yes. BE still own the site so have to be involved for sports like speedway can return. Can't see it as being an easy path for speedway to return as BE could just stall with any offer for the rent knowing that sometimes in the future they will go away. Sad  

More than likely speedway alone would not be able to provide the  necessary financial resource to support any form of worthwhile development.  The answer is more likely along the lines of BE being a partner in developing the site as a National Motor Sport facility with funding being provided by the combined financial involvement from the likes of various motor sport governing bodies, Local Authorities, National lottery and private/commercial enterprises, leading to BE exiting the partnership at some reagreed stage having made an acceptable profit. 

[Ray Stadia]

4 hours ago, 1 valve said:

More than likely speedway alone would not be able to provide the  necessary financial resource to support any form of worthwhile development.  The answer is more likely along the lines of BE being a partner in developing the site as a National Motor Sport facility with funding being provided by the combined financial involvement from the likes of various motor sport governing bodies, Local Authorities, National lottery and private/commercial enterprises, leading to BE exiting the partnership at some reagreed stage having made an acceptable profit. 

But who would be the various motor sports? Stock Cars, Bangers, Flat track? Local authorities haven't got a p to p in!, National Lottery...join the queue! Private/commercial enterprises, what could be in it for them? Maybe dual uses of the stadium, football pitch on the centre green, concert venue? I would imagine BE would think these things would be 'small beer', not money spinning enterprises. I'm not sure what the answer is, except hoping BE are happy to sell and there is a willing buyer, who is dead keen on having Speedway return.