Plans submitted to develop motorsport facilities

Alan Mugglestsone said the proposed facilities would enhance the development of car technologies

Plans to develop new facilities at a former airfield, used by the automotive industry, have been submitted to West Lindsey District Council.

Officials want to build pit garages, a control tower and a new hospitality area at Blyton Park, near Gainsborough.

The former RAF Blyton site has been used as a motorsport facility since it closed as an active base in 1955.

Alan Mugglestone, the managing director of the circuit, said the proposal would make the site an "important part" of the car industry.

He said: "We're not a racetrack, we are a testing and development circuit. We want to give our customers a better experience and facilities to continue to be at the forefront of the automotive industry.

"It's not just about racing either - we host a lot of manufacturers. Bentley were here recently perfecting some of their systems which will filter through to their road cars."

Mr Mugglestone said he hoped, subject to planning permission, work on the new facilities could be completed by the end of 2025.

The proposed facilities include pit garages, a hospitality area and circuit control tower

The circuit welcomes about 40,000 drivers every year from across the UK and as far away as Australia and Brazil, officials said.

Mike Simpson, the chief executive of Ginetta Motorsport which owns the venue, said the proposed facilities would "enable growth" for the industry in Lincolnshire.

"In motorsport, the focus has traditionally been the area around Silverstone but it is really growing in the north of England and that has to be good for the economy," he said.

"At Blyton, we've seen F1 stars take their first steps in car racing but it's also the engineers, mechanics and support staff that benefit too.

"We're proud of what has been achieved and, hopefully, with this new infrastructure, we're excited to see it grow in the future."

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