Opponents vow to make new project heavy going

13 April 2012

The dream is born and the ambitions trumpeted. But before London can have a world-class racecourse on its doorstep at Fairlop Waters, there are many obstacles to overcome.

Starting on 1 May and expected to last for three weeks, there is a public inquiry into the Wiggins Group's planning application to build London City racetrack on the Green Belt land of Fairlop Plain. Redbridge Council own the land and Wiggins currently hold the 125-year lease to run a golf course with a lake for fishing and boating.

Brian Sims, a planning inspector based at the Department of Environment and Transport's Bristol office, will hear evidence at the public inquiry, much like a judge in a court of law. The developers, Wiggins, will put their case and then the council's senior planning officer will state the objections. Witnesses for both sides will be called, with cross-examination to follow. Other interested parties, who have given prior notice, also have a voice.

Once the hearing is concluded, Sims will prepare a report for the Secretary of State, whose decision will be final. It can take anything between a month and two years for a decision to be reached, but insiders expect a judgment later this year.

Wiggins must counter fears about the environmental and social impact of its project. They will argue the benefits to business and the community of plans for a City-endorsed, flagship dirt track for the UK. Their witnesses include four key racing figures: eminent trainer John Gosden, British Horseracing Board racing director Paul Greeves, Tote chairman Peter Jones and Brough

Scott, journalist and Channel 4 Racing presenter.

Some residents are particularly vocal in their objection to the Wiggins proposal. Aldborough Hatch is an 8,000-strong town directly south of the proposed site. Its Defence Association has a 30-year track record of representing local views. Chairman Ron Jeffries will appear, along with MP Linda Perham and Ray Frensham of the local Barkingside and Clayhall Environmental Group, as a third-party objector.

Jeffries' chief concern is the environmental impact of the project on a designated Green Belt area. He argues that local leisure pursuits, residents' quality of life and wildlife would be adversely affected. He anticipates huge transport problems with an already crowded rail, tube and road network pushed to breaking point by the influx of 20,000 racegoers on 31 Thursday nights a year. But he also suspects commercial viability will prompt Wiggins into using the facilities for other activities, such as pop concerts, so increasing noise and traffic in the area. He expects national firms, rather than local businesses, to thrive on the development - despite the fact that two Redbridge business groups will speak for Wiggins at the inquiry - and accuses racing of holding no interest for families and young people.

"The Association is not against development on Fairlop Plain, full stop. We would like to see appropriate social and leisure projects that have appeal beyond those interested in horseracing. We do not believe that a racecourse is a place where young people and families would go. A Government minister recently

Even if London City racecourse is approved by the public inquiry, victory for Wiggins would not yet be in sight. They must then apply to the council for permission to change the lease - although Wiggins's lawyers take a different view. But Tory Councillor Keith Axon has repeatedly told Standard Sport of his opposition to such a proposal and Jeffries would be keen to take the issue even further.

"Even if Wiggins win the public inquiry, the council will object to its proposed lease changes. But even if they didn't, there's a human rights issue that we would push about whether a decision made by one planning inspector or even one Government minister constitutes a fair trial.

"Wiggins have a very long battle ahead of them," warned Jeffries.

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Opponents vow to make new project heavy going

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