Hammers delighted for The Bees success

Thurrock Hammers are delighted that the Appeal against the refusal of planning permission to develop the Coventry Stadium site was dismissed on 19 January 2024.

We believe that this is the first time Speedway has defeated a track development scheme and see it as a watershed moment for the sport.

We are also proud to report that two members of our campaign team were involved in the Appeal process. Brian Connolly has been heavily involved with the Save Coventry Speedway Campaign for several years and Hammers Director Mark Sexton attended the Appeal hearing in Rugby to give evidence to correct suggestions being made on behalf of the Appellant.

To support the Appeal, the developer raised many of the same arguments that we have previously heard at Arena Essex but, after hearing from 22 witnesses over 9 days, the Planning Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State rejected the arguments raised against Speedway.

In effect, the Planning Inspector’s decision endorses Speedway’s right to exist and race on tracks located close to their fans.

It is a precedent which should apply to any Speedway track at risk to development, including Arena Essex, and it supports what we have been advocating about our situation all along.

The ‘Coventry’ decision is a great boost for the Thurrock Hammers Campaign and we will use it in the Local Plan Process to support our campaign for the retention of Speedway on the Arena Essex site.

As mentioned, following the omission of Speedway from the initial Local Plan Proposal for Thurrock, we are calling on all Hammers and Speedway fans who have supported our campaign, to work with us and take action, by submiting an email as part of the consultation process. Full information can be found here.

Image credit: Rafa Wlosek