Waiting game continues over new track

Graham Cunningham13 April 2012

The long wait for a decision over whether London is to have a new £100m racecourse at Fairlop Waters in Esssex, hinges on last-minute discussions taking place in Whitehall today.

Some 13 months have elapsed since the public inquiry which followed the Wiggins Group's application to build a floodlit allweather track on 345 acres controlled by Redbridge Borough Council. But light seemed to appear at the end of the tunnel last week when Ilford North MP Linda Perham was told in Parliament that a decision would be issued before August.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott had been expected to announce his decision yesterday, but supporters and opposers of the plan were left on tenterhooks as discussions continued beyond last night's deadline.

Wiggins have outlined their desire to "transform the idea of a trip to the races" through an ultramodernfacility with capacity-for 20,000 spectators which will be open to the public for 31 Thursday night meetings every year.

Redbridge Council have always been opposed to the plan, as have local residents groups and the London Wildlife Trust, but Wiggins chief executive Oliver Iny was still hoping for positive news as he awaited a call from the Ministry of State for Housing, Planning and Regeneration.

He said: "I'm afraid the wait goes on for some news and no-one has even given us a hint of what the decision might be.

"We expect news at some point today, and although I've always felt very positive about our chances I must admit that some last-minute nerves have crept in this morning."

Top Flat trainer John Gosden spoke in favour of siting Britain's first new racecourse for over 70 years at Fairlop during the public inquiry and is also awaiting the verdict with keen interest.

He said: "The vibes I'm getting aren't that positive, but a brand new racecourse with world-class facilities able to stage top races on dirt and close to the capital would be a huge asset to British racing.

"It's got to come at some point, and I'm hoping that it comes sooner rather than later."

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