Deadline passes for speedway stadium appeal

The Coventry Bees stopped racing at Brandon Stadium in 2016

A decision to stop a former speedway stadium being demolished for housing has been rubber-stamped after a deadline passed for an appeal.

Campaigners confirmed no legal challenge had been put forward by Brandon Stadium's owners Brandon Estates to a planning inspector's decision in January.

The owner's six-week window for an appeal to the High Court has now lapsed.

Save Coventry Speedway and Stox (SCS) said in a statement they were delighted to mark "the end of this particular part of the process".

Plans for 124 homes, a 3G football pitch and pavilion at the derelict former home of the Coventry Bees speedway team were refused by Rugby Borough Council in November 2022.

Planning Inspector Helen Hockenhull threw out Brandon Estates' subsequent appeal as she was not persuaded the site was surplus to requirements or that the value of a 3G pitch outweighed that of a community stadium.

Campaigners gathered at Rugby Town Hall in November 2022 while councillors deliberated over plans to replace Brandon Stadium with housing

In their statement, SCS thanked sporting and community members who helped with legal costs and spoke in support of the stadium at the inquiry.

"Your honesty and passion shone through under difficult scrutiny and it is sincerely appreciated," the statement continued.

“There is now much for us to consider, doubtless with further meetings to be arranged over the coming weeks.”

It now remains for Brandon Estates to choose what to do with the land.

SCS added it retained an "unstinting commitment" to bring speedway and stock car racing back to the stadium.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.