AN APPEAL has been lodged against the Rugby Borough Council planning committee’s unanimous decision to reject the building of a housing estate on the site of Brandon Stadium.
The appeal has been made by Brandon Estates and was lodged on May 12.
The application, rejected in November, was for 124 houses, reduced from the initial plan of 137, including access into the site from Rugby Road, with 20 per cent of the houses affordable.
The plans, which also included open space, infrastructure, a 3G football pitch, a pavilion and a car park, were thrown out in November despite a recommendation for approval.
The appeal will be determined through a public inquiry, although the date hasn’t been confirmed.
The Save Coventry Speedway and Stox Campaign Group, which has been fighting for the venue’s future since it was closed back in 2016, has said it will be applying for Rule 6 status with the inspectorate which will enable them to formally participate in the appeal process.
What was said in November
At November’s meeting, Dave Carter on behalf of the Campaign Group said there was no need for the development proposed from a housing perspective as Rugby Borough Council had exceeded overall provision and could demonstrate in excess of the five-year supply of housing land.
He added: “The condition of the stadium is no reason to approve this planning application.
“There is unprecedented, near-unanimous opposition to this proposal, including crucially from the local community”.
Gareth Hooper spoke in favour of the proposals and said the redevelopment would replace a ‘vacant, derelict, previously developed site’ and highlighted the amendments made in the past four years.
“The proposals also have the support from a number of local residents who signed them, removing an eyesore, addressing the risk posed by the current condition of the site, as well as providing needed affordable housing and community facilities.
“Critically, many of these supporters live directly opposite the site.
“It is apparent that there is simply no viable case for the speedway recommencing on the site.”
Rugby councillor Tony Gillias said the development proposals didn’t conform to Section 99c of the National Planning Policy Framework and the associated local guidelines.
This, he argued, was because the application’s primary function was for housing and not for alternative sport which would outweigh the loss of existing sport.
He added there was no identified need for the 3G pitch.
Click here to read the planning application appeal or http://www.savecoventryspeedway.com/ for more information on how to have your say on the appeal process.
We will report the latest updates and reactions to this story.
