RUGBY Borough Councils’ planning committee unanimously rejected plans to build a housing estate on the site of Brandon Stadium, despite a recommendation for approval.
Brandon Estates submitted a planning application proposal involving bulldozing the stadium to make way for 124 houses including access into the site from Rugby Road, with 20 per cent of the houses affordable.
The plans also included open space, infrastructure, a 3G football pitch, a pavilion and a car park.
The scheme was amended to reduce the number of homes from the initial plan of 137.
The Save Coventry Speedway and Stox Campaign Group have been campaigning for the venues future since it was closed back in 2016.
At the meeting last night (Wednesday), Dave Carter on behalf of the Campaign Group said: “From a housing perspective, there is no need for the development proposed, as Rugby Borough Council has exceeded overall provision and can demonstrate in excess of the five-year supply of housing land.
“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.”
Coun Tony Gillias said: “The proposal before you is not a housing development, it is clearly for a brand new village in the green belt.
“It does not conform to Section 99c of National Planning Policy Framework and the associated local guidelines, as the application’s primary function is for housing and not for alternative sport which would outweigh the loss of existing sport and there is no identified need for the 3G pitch”.
Speaking after the meeting, Save Coventry Speedway Campaign Group spokesman Jeff Davies said six years of hard work had ‘come to fruition’.
“Whatever comes next, we will fight that too, and if it’s an appeal on behalf of the developers we will fight it with the same enthusiasm and vigour as we’ve done with this one.
“We have always argued that a sports pitch in no way compensates for the loss of the motorsports stadium, and we’re very grateful too for the support of Sport England, who also reiterated that point recently.”
