Planning granted for new Welsh venue

Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council has granted outline planning permission for a new £280m motorsport development in Ebbw Vale which could one day see the stars of MotoGP racing on Welsh soil.

The Circuit of Wales is the brainchild of the Heads of the Valleys Development Company Ltd and is set to be created on an 830-acre site, featuring a 3.5 mile long interional specification circuit, karting and Motocross tracks and a technology park targeting low-carbon industries that would become a ‘hub for research and development companies that are seeking to push the boundaries in environmental technology and energy solutions’.

A hotel, and commercial and retail complexes and a race academy and training facility also feature in the plans.

Work is slated to start towards the end of the year, with a completion date of 2015/16 having been mentioned so far.

“I’d like to acknowledge the tremendous support of the local community of Blaenau Gwent and the Welsh Government,” Michael Carrick, Chief Executive of the Heads of the Valleys Development Company Ltd, said. “We promise to deliver a truly innovative and sustainable business, helping to deliver long-term economic and social benefits for the region.

“It is a hugely important development, not just for the regeneration of Blaenau Gwent but also for the UK economy, and will enable significant private capital to be mobilised. This is a showcase for a new type of investment model, a partnership between private investment and government to deliver a transformational business to the region.”

It has been predicted that the new venture could generate £50m per annum for the UK economy, with 3,000 jobs being created during the construction phase and anything between 4,000 and 6,000 when it is completed.

“The project will change the outlook and aspirations of thousands of young people across the Blaenau Gwent community and give them opportunities for training and careers in retail, services, technology and the automotive industry,” Jonathan Jones, Head of Training and Recruitment, added. “Through the creation and support of apprenticeships and local education initiatives, the Heads of the Valleys Development Company is committed to ensuring that a high percentage of these jobs will be sourced from the local Blaenau Gwent area.”

While F1 isn’t on the agenda, the circuit has made no secret of its desire to host events like the World Touring Car Championship and MotoGP, with discussions having already taken place with the latter about the possibility of a race in future.

Those discussions have already led to Carmelo Ezpeleta, Chief Executive Officer of series organisers Dorna, visiting the proposed site at the start of the year

“It’s fantastic,” he said. “I think this is a very important programme for MotoGP and for motor sport in general. It is good for the area and good for the community, and the team behind it will have whatever help they need from us. We have already been working with them and we will continue to do so.”

While outline planning has been granted, that didn’t come without some objections being put forward, with Gwent Wildlife Trust, Brecon Beacons National Park, and Natural Resources Wales all voicing their concerns about the possible impact of the project.

Questions have also been raised about the possible impact that the venture could have on motorsport as a whole, given the levels of expenditure required when put up against the possible return for investors.

“The UK circuit industry welcomes innovation and investment, however history and experience suggest that an investment of this magnitude in a motor racing circuit will never produce a return for investors,” Jonathan Palmer, chairman of the Association of Motor Racing Circuit Owners and owner of Brands Hatch, Oulton Park, Snetterton and Cadwell Park, said.

“It is a real concern that this will turn into a white elephant at the expense of much needed public funds, and we hope this project will now be subject to careful scrutiny by Welsh government inspectors and the Wales Audit Office.”

Classifieds Archive

£410000

£54000

POA

SOLD

SOLD

$1000000

$3000

POA

$399500

$115000

$25000

$17000