SAVE Coventry Speedway and Stox campaign group has said it will continue to fight the proposed redevelopment at the stadium site after Brandon Estates lodged an appeal to overturn its controversial thrown-out application.
In November, Rugby Borough Council’s planning committee unanimously rejected Brandon Estates’ application for 124 houses, reduced from the initial plan of 137, on the site of the iconic stadium.
The applicants then had six months to submit an appeal, with Brandon lodging its objection to the decision on May 12.
Brandon Estates appeal will be determined through a public inquiry, although the date hasn’t been confirmed.
The campaign group, which has been fighting for the venue’s future since it was closed back in 2016, has applied to the Planning Inspector for Rule 6 status which would enable them to participate in the inquiry.
The thrown out plans included access into the site from Rugby Road, with 20 per cent of the houses built being affordable.
Proposals also included open space, infrastructure, a 3G football pitch, a pavilion and a car park.
Rugby council’s reason for refusal stated the development would result in the loss of a sporting facility with both local and national significance.
It added although an alternative sporting provision, the 3G pitch, was proposed, there was not a ‘clearly identified need’ for it.
The authority considered the proposed benefits of the new facility to not clearly outweigh the loss of the stadium.
Brandon Estates’ appeal claims evidence provided demonstrated a demand for additional 3G pitches.
It claims data collected relating to Coventry City and Rugby Borough Council’s playing field assessments showed the number of existing pitches in both authorities areas was insufficient against demand generated by existing local clubs and their teams.
Other appeal points included claims of declining attendance at speedway events, both at Coventry Stadium and nationwide, as well as the number of active teams, and events held across each site.
It also argues the capital costs of reinstating the stadium, alongside the operational costs, meant it would be ‘completely unviable’ and was ‘clearly outweighed’ by the benefit offered by creating the proposed sports pitch.
And other contested points in the appeal include the principle of development within the green belt, the need for housing and the housing mix.
A spokesperson for Save Coventry Speedway and Stox campaign group said: “We have been expecting Brandon Estates to appeal the decision of Rugby Council and are not surprised that they left it right until the last minute to submit it.
“The grounds for the appeal have now been published on Rugby Council website and in the coming days we will be looking through those documents and applying the same level of scrutiny as we’ve done at every stage in this process over the last six years”.
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.
