THE Campaign Group would like to send our best wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all speedway and stock car fans.
It has been a terribly difficult year for everyone but hopefully by the end of winter we will be through the worst of the pandemic and some sort of normal life can resume.
On the campaign front, the pandemic has not altered our focus and we have continued to shine a light on the disgraceful tactics employed by the owners of Brandon Stadium, Investin plc (Brandon Estates).
There have been significant events in 2020, including the formal issue of an offer to buy the stadium to restore it for sporting use from a highly credible businessman. More than six months on, that offer has not been answered.
Support for the stadium and the return of motorsport is stronger than ever, as witnessed by the recent backing from Coventry City FC. If the developers thought opposition to their schemes would fade over time, this has proved to be one of several big mistakes since they acquired the site in a speculative purchase.
Vandalism and incursions have continued, resulting in worry and inconvenience for local residents, and the use of time and resources by emergency services which would ideally be directed elsewhere. The developers, of course, showed their utter contempt for everyone affected by removing even the very limited on-site security presence, and yet will continue to claim their plans are acting in the best interests of the community.
We do not know when the revised planning application, after the failure of the first one, will be submitted, but we are ready for it and will once again strongly highlight all errors and untruths wherever necessary. This application is far too important, far too controversial, for the developers to get away with the kind of bland 'PR-speak' which would often be sufficient.
2021 will be the FIFTH year in which the area is unable to stage two of its most popular and successful sports. This is an outrageous situation, and one that could so easily have been avoided. If we had a wish for the New Year in sporting terms, it would be that the need for speedway and stock car racing is taken seriously by ALL parties.
Wishing everyone well for the festive period, and we will continue to update you in 2021.
