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VOLUME 73 NUMBER 35 8 COPPERGATE MEWS, BRIGHTON ROAD, SURBITON, SURREY, KT6 5NE EDITORIAL Telephone: (020) 8335 1113 E-mail: star@pinegen.co.uk Editor: Andrew Skeels Assistant editor: Tony McDonald News and feature writers: Paul Burbidge, Peter Oakes and Phil Lanning Art editor: Mick Smith Production editor: Mark Frankham Front cover design: Jeff Davies CIRCULATION & SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions manager: Dave Fairbrother Telephone: (020) 8335 1113 (9 am-2.30 pm) E-mail: subs@pinegen.co.uk Or visit www.speedwaystar.net and click on the subscriptions link. SUBSCRIPTION RATES UK (52 issues): ......................................£128 UK (26 issues): ........................................£65 UK (13 issues): ........................................£33 EUROPE (52 issues): ............................£144 EUROPE (26 issues): ..............................£74 USA (52 issues):....................................£164 USA (26 issues):......................................£84 REST OF WORLD (52 issues) ................£174 REST OF WORLD (26 issues): ..................£89 DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS www.exacteditions.com/speedwaystar ADVERTISING Advertising manager: Mick Hooker Office: 01279 771125 Mobile: 07957 814639 E-mail: coveadv@gmail.com ACCOUNTS Accounts manager: Marina Abbott Telephone: (020) 8335 1104 E-mail: accounts@pinegen.co.uk Speedway Star is published by the proprietors Pinegen Limited. Printed by: Warners Midlands PLC Printers Distributed by: Seymour Distribution Ltd., 2 East Poultry Avenue, London EC1A 9PT. Registered at the Post Office as a newspaper © copyright 2024 Pinegen Limited NEWSDESK P ETERBOROUGH fans are celebrating a famous planning victory but have been warned: “We have won a battle but we certainly have not won the war, and we will continue to fight!” Peterborough City Council’s Planning Committee last week threw out an application to demolish the grandstand at the East of England Showground and build on the site of the track. PANT ‘VICT BUT FIGH Even though land agents Asset Earning Power Group (AEPG) Limited were given the green light to build 850 new homes at the Showground site, it didn’t include the area where the track, pits and spectator accommodation stand. The go-ahead is reliant on a series of tough conditions, including additional and improved traffic access, which means that work cannot start without meeting those requirements. In a major boost to the fight to keep speedway alive at the Showground, where it has been one of the major attractions for more than half a century, a second planning bid to demolish all trace of speedway and build a further 650 houses was turned down. The official reason listed on documentation notes: “By virtue of the loss of the Showground and speedway track, together with a quantum of dwellings which cumulatively would significantly exceed the allocated 650 dwellings on the showground site, the proposed development was contrary to Policies LP30 and LP36 and para 103 of the NPPF, and there were no other material considerations, including the NPPF ‘tilted balance’ that carried such weight as to outweigh the conflict with the Development Plan.” AEPG have six months to lodge an appeal against the decision but that didn’t dampen the reaction from members of the Peterborough Panthers Speedway Consortium who were at the meeting. Both consortium member and former promoter Mick Bratley and planning advisor Brian Connolly were able to address the 10 members of the Planning and Environmental Protection Committee before they reached their decisions during nearly six hours of fierce debate. Mr. Connolly, who has also been involved in the fight to save Coventry Bees, admitted: “It went on a very long time. We were down and out, we thought it was gone and then the chairman of the committee just turned it.” The chairman, Councillor Chris Harper, told his committee members that he was going to vote against the Planning Officer Phil Moore’s recommendation to also approve the second application. He pointed out that he had regularly enjoyed his visits to the East of England Show, Truckfest, speedway, dog shows and other events at the venue over the years. He also expressed criticism of the East of England Showground management, adding that if the council approved another 650 houses, he thought that was an over-development of the site on the outskirts of the city. And he pointed out that the application didn’t meet the criteria laid down in paragraph 103 of the government’s National Planning Policy Framework which requires developments to replace existing sporting and leisure facilities in any development schemes. His views appeared to swing several of his committee who INNIE FOORD revealed he received death threats during Poole’s KO Cup Final, first leg win at Oxford. Foord ‘death th V The flying Wessex Marine Pirates reserve scored a vital paid nine in the 57-33 victory which left the Dorset club on the cusp of a historic treble ahead of last night’s (Wednesday) scheduled return leg. But Foord, 18, was subjected to verbal abuse on the track walk at Cowley, where fans reacted to his two controversial crash incidents in the Cab Direct Championship Grand Final at Wimborne Road the week before. He revealed: “I’m pretty good with banter, I don’t really take it to heart. I look at it more as motivation. “But it’s not great to be told some of the things I was at Oxford. I had a few people tell me they were going to kill me. Even the track staff were giving me a bit of stick. “I think there’s a limit to the banter. It’s not terrible to be a villain. I’ve always been told, ‘if you can’t get a cheer, get a boo’. “But the line was crossed a few times. It’s pretty hard for my family to hear this stuff. “I look at it as motivation. I’ve got to go out and prove to them that I’m not a dangerous rider and not the things they’ve been calling me. “I also had Oxford fans who came over to speak to me and were great as well. “It was a good meeting for myself and the team. I felt happy I could go out and do well to prove the fans who were hating on me wrong.” Foord also hit back at claims that he caused the crashes in heats 2 and 8 of the Grand Final in Dorset which have provoked outrage from Cheetahs’ fans. He added: “I’ve never intentionally hurt a rider. It’s never in my mind to injure a fellow rider. “It’s just one of those things in racing. We all want it and we all want to win as much as each other. “I was just going for the win in Heat 2 as was Luke (Killeen). It was a big racing incident, what happened was unfortunate. “In Heat 8 I had just got level with Jody (Scott). I don’t think he could tell the distance between us in that split second. It went from a huge gap to us being pretty tight. “We have both tried to leave some racing room. But we were both committed and, to be honest, it was probably a lack of experience from both of us.” 2 speedway star October 26, 2024
page 3
THERS TORY’ HT GOES ON... had previously voted through the 850 home scheme, while the second 650-house phase of the development was turned down by six votes to three with one abstention. Councillor Harper later said: “The application was seen as for too many houses and the loss of the speedway and Showground was too much. “There was nothing in the application to really replace that and if we’re going to lose those sorts of things we need to find somewhere else for them to be and of a similar value or better. “This application was purely housing and nothing else. There was not enough in there to approve the decision. “What I would like to see is that it forces people to the table. It was mentioned by speedway that it didn’t feel it had a proper chance to consult and work with the owners of the Showground. “Hopefully they will come together and maybe they’ll hreats’ The East Sussex teenager also paid tribute to Pirates’ bosses for helping him progress and be on the verge of three medals in his debut Championship campaign. He said: “It’s been a dream season for me. At the start of the year I just thought I was doing the National Development League only. “I didn’t expect to be ending up at Poole and hopefully picking up the treble. I’m certainly looking forward to Wednesday night and hopefully we can complete the job. “The Poole management of Danny Ford and Neil Middleditch have been amazing to me. Everyone at Poole has helped me out from day one. That constant support has brought me on more, so I’m scoring more now.” Report: PHIL LANNING come up with a plan for an alternative that is as good as if not better and maybe we can move forward. But that is for them to decide.” Speaking on behalf of the Peterborough Panthers Speedway Consortium, Mr Connolly added: “Paragraph 103 was at the heart of the argument and a precedent was set with the Coventry appeal decision earlier this year. “In the planning case officer’s report and recommendation to approve the applications, he completely ignored the Coventry Appeal decision and expressed the view that the protection of paragraph 103 should not apply. That completely disappointed us, but we were delighted when the chairman made a point of what the loss of speedway would mean to the city.” The campaigners will now seek talks with AEPG in the hope that they can be convinced to include speedway in any alternative scheme they might come up with, rather than being forced to leave the speedway facilities, including the grandstand, to deteriorate as they cannot be demolished and built on. Mr. Connolly went on: “AEPG can’t develop that land now, but our door is open and we invite the applicant to work with us to enable the policy and precedent compliant application to be made. “We have won a battle but we certainly have not won the war, and we will continue to fight. We are going to push and push at everything we can to remain at the East of England Showground. “We are all pleased that the application that sought to kill off Cross fighting ORMER England speedway and grasstrack star Simon Cross has begun rehabilitation in hospital after suffering a ‘serious stroke’ on a recent return trip from his home in France to England with his wife Andrea. FOn a dedicated Facebook page set up by the family, called ‘Simon Cross recovery’, the following update was posted last Sunday: “Since Simon's admission to 'his five-star hotel' (his words by the way) he has had a treatment plan put in place. His consultant James and the physio team have already realised that Simon wants to run before he can walk. “The physio team had him up on his feet on Thursday at the bar (obviously not the bar that he's accustomed to). With their help and patience they got him to walk by placing his leg in the position it should be to remind his brain what it should be doing. We've found out that he can do this better in reverse. “His left arm really doesn't want to play ball at the moment but with daily stimulation (that’s me prodding him constantly with something sharp), we’re just waiting for his little pinky to react. “We all know what a fighter Simon is and if anyone can rise to the challenge, then he can. “Thank you for all your messages of support and please keep them coming, as he loves reading them.” The following post had previously explained the background to the 59-year-old’s sudden illness: “Last weekend, on 11/10/24, Mum and Dad flew to England to celebrate Mum’s 60th birthday. Unfortunately, Dad experienced multiple TIAs on Friday and Saturday. He was assessed and treated, then discharged with recommendations for further investigations once they returned home, as nothing showed on the initial scans. “On Saturday, we had a lovely afternoon celebrating Mum’s birthday with family. However, that evening, Dad suffered a serious stroke and was admitted to the high dependency ward. He remained there until late Wednesday when he was moved to the stroke ward. Throughout this time, he had a total of three CT scans. The first two showed nothing but the scan on Monday revealed the area affected by the stroke. It impacted the right side of his brain, which affects the left side of his body. “We’re focused on his recovery and will keep you all updated.” Speedway Star sends ‘Crossi’ our very best wishes for a rapid recovery… speedway in Peterborough has been refused. It may come back, that’s not in our control, or the applicant may rejig it. "But it means the alternative land use sought by the applicant can’t now proceed in the way the applicant sought. The applicant can’t do with the land what it said it wanted to do, so something has to give. “We hope that means a meaningful dialogue and conversation about the future of speedway at its natural home in Peterborough can now take place.” After the decision was announced, a spokesman for AEPG told the local Peterborough Telegraph: “We were delighted the officer’s recommendation was approved for the major application. We will continue to work closely with the council’s planning team on the next steps progressing the development of the Showground.” Poole, with Vinnie Foord third from left, on their track walk at Oxford. Picture: TAYLOR LANNING October 26, 2024 speedway star 3

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VOLUME 73 NUMBER 35

8 COPPERGATE MEWS, BRIGHTON ROAD, SURBITON,

SURREY, KT6 5NE

EDITORIAL

Telephone: (020) 8335 1113 E-mail: star@pinegen.co.uk Editor: Andrew Skeels Assistant editor: Tony McDonald News and feature writers: Paul Burbidge, Peter Oakes and Phil Lanning Art editor: Mick Smith Production editor: Mark Frankham Front cover design: Jeff Davies

CIRCULATION & SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions manager: Dave Fairbrother Telephone: (020) 8335 1113 (9 am-2.30 pm) E-mail: subs@pinegen.co.uk Or visit www.speedwaystar.net and click on the subscriptions link.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES UK (52 issues): ......................................£128 UK (26 issues): ........................................£65 UK (13 issues): ........................................£33 EUROPE (52 issues): ............................£144 EUROPE (26 issues): ..............................£74 USA (52 issues):....................................£164 USA (26 issues):......................................£84 REST OF WORLD (52 issues) ................£174 REST OF WORLD (26 issues): ..................£89

DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS www.exacteditions.com/speedwaystar

ADVERTISING Advertising manager: Mick Hooker Office: 01279 771125 Mobile: 07957 814639 E-mail: coveadv@gmail.com

ACCOUNTS

Accounts manager: Marina Abbott Telephone: (020) 8335 1104 E-mail: accounts@pinegen.co.uk Speedway Star is published by the proprietors Pinegen Limited. Printed by: Warners Midlands PLC Printers Distributed by: Seymour Distribution Ltd., 2 East Poultry Avenue, London EC1A 9PT. Registered at the Post Office as a newspaper

© copyright 2024 Pinegen Limited

NEWSDESK P

ETERBOROUGH fans are celebrating a famous planning victory but have been warned: “We have won a battle but we certainly have not won the war, and we will continue to fight!”

Peterborough City Council’s Planning Committee last week threw out an application to demolish the grandstand at the East of England Showground and build on the site of the track.

PANT ‘VICT

BUT FIGH

Even though land agents Asset Earning Power Group (AEPG) Limited were given the green light to build 850 new homes at the Showground site, it didn’t include the area where the track, pits and spectator accommodation stand.

The go-ahead is reliant on a series of tough conditions, including additional and improved traffic access, which means that work cannot start without meeting those requirements.

In a major boost to the fight to keep speedway alive at the Showground, where it has been one of the major attractions for more than half a century, a second planning bid to demolish all trace of speedway and build a further 650 houses was turned down.

The official reason listed on documentation notes: “By virtue of the loss of the Showground and speedway track, together with a quantum of dwellings which cumulatively would significantly exceed the allocated 650 dwellings on the showground site, the proposed development was contrary to Policies LP30 and LP36 and para 103 of the NPPF, and there were no other material considerations, including the

NPPF ‘tilted balance’ that carried such weight as to outweigh the conflict with the Development Plan.”

AEPG have six months to lodge an appeal against the decision but that didn’t dampen the reaction from members of the Peterborough Panthers Speedway Consortium who were at the meeting.

Both consortium member and former promoter Mick Bratley and planning advisor Brian Connolly were able to address the 10 members of the Planning and Environmental Protection Committee before they reached their decisions during nearly six hours of fierce debate.

Mr. Connolly, who has also been involved in the fight to save Coventry Bees, admitted: “It went on a very long time. We were down and out, we thought it was gone and then the chairman of the committee just turned it.”

The chairman, Councillor Chris Harper, told his committee members that he was going to vote against the Planning Officer Phil Moore’s recommendation to also approve the second application.

He pointed out that he had regularly enjoyed his visits to the East of England Show, Truckfest, speedway, dog shows and other events at the venue over the years. He also expressed criticism of the East of England Showground management, adding that if the council approved another 650 houses, he thought that was an over-development of the site on the outskirts of the city.

And he pointed out that the application didn’t meet the criteria laid down in paragraph 103 of the government’s National Planning Policy Framework which requires developments to replace existing sporting and leisure facilities in any development schemes.

His views appeared to swing several of his committee who

INNIE FOORD revealed he received death threats during Poole’s KO Cup Final, first leg win at Oxford.

Foord ‘death th V

The flying Wessex Marine Pirates reserve scored a vital paid nine in the 57-33 victory which left the Dorset club on the cusp of a historic treble ahead of last night’s (Wednesday) scheduled return leg.

But Foord, 18, was subjected to verbal abuse on the track walk at Cowley, where fans reacted to his two controversial crash incidents in the Cab Direct Championship Grand Final at Wimborne Road the week before.

He revealed: “I’m pretty good with banter, I don’t really take it to heart. I look at it more as motivation.

“But it’s not great to be told some of the things I was at Oxford. I had a few people tell me they were going to kill me. Even the track staff were giving me a bit of stick.

“I think there’s a limit to the banter. It’s not terrible to be a villain. I’ve always been told, ‘if you can’t get a cheer, get a boo’.

“But the line was crossed a few times. It’s pretty hard for my family to hear this stuff.

“I look at it as motivation. I’ve got to go out and prove to them that I’m not a dangerous rider and not the things they’ve been calling me.

“I also had Oxford fans who came over to speak to me and were great as well.

“It was a good meeting for myself and the team. I felt happy I could go out and do well to prove the fans who were hating on me wrong.”

Foord also hit back at claims that he caused the crashes in heats 2 and 8 of the Grand Final in Dorset which have provoked outrage from Cheetahs’ fans.

He added: “I’ve never intentionally hurt a rider. It’s never in my mind to injure a fellow rider.

“It’s just one of those things in racing. We all want it and we all want to win as much as each other.

“I was just going for the win in Heat 2 as was Luke (Killeen). It was a big racing incident, what happened was unfortunate.

“In Heat 8 I had just got level with Jody (Scott). I don’t think he could tell the distance between us in that split second. It went from a huge gap to us being pretty tight.

“We have both tried to leave some racing room. But we were both committed and, to be honest, it was probably a lack of experience from both of us.”

2 speedway star October 26, 2024

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