FORMER British Champion Chris Harris has branded the team that saved Coventry Speedway as “heroic”.
Brandon Estates had been seeking to replace the famous sports venue Brandon Stadium, which they closed in 2016, with a housing development.
But The Save Coventry Speedway & Stox Campaign Group (SCS) have fought to save the site which has hosted World Cup finals, British Championships and Grand Prix events.
Brandon Estates had appealed over their failure to secure planning permission via a Public Inquiry which started last September.
However the Inspector, Helen Hockenhull, has concluded that the stadium with its established use is not surplus to requirements, and that the ‘benefits’ of the alternative provision do not outweigh the loss of the stadium.
Harris, who won the league with Coventry, admitted: “It’s amazing news for the Bees and great news for the sport.
“Coventry has been an iconic team for years and the main stadium for all the top events.
“It’s been a heroic effort from the Save Coventry Speedway & Stox Campaign Group to get this far against all the odds.
“There’s still so much hard work to get speedway back at the stadium. But this at least gives them a great chance to keep the sport alive in Coventry.”
Top photographer Jeff Davies has been the driving force behind the campaign to keep the Bees on-track.
The Save Coventry Speedway & Stox Campaign Group were delighted with the verdict, stating: “We are very pleased to have received notification that the Appeal lodged by Brandon Estates over their failure to secure planning permission has been dismissed.
“Clearly the conclusion of the Inspector is warmly welcomed by SCS and is the outcome we have been striving for ever since the matter was taken to Appeal.
“We would like to thank everyone for their support, including Richard Humphreys KC and the Council’s own legal team led by Hugh Richards KC.
“We are especially grateful to all those who contributed to the GoFundMe last summer, which has proved hugely important and enabled us to participate fully in the Appeal as the Rule 6 party.
“Naturally there are a great number of matters arising from this decision for us to consider once the relevant paperwork has been reviewed, and we will update everyone further when we can.
“Our dream has always been to get speedway and stock car racing back to their rightful place at Brandon, and following this decision that dream is still very much alive.”
Words by Holeshot Media.
Images by Taylor Lanning.