Plans could end speedway hopes at historic stadium

The stadium's owners want to build homes, leisure and sports facilities on the site

A sports stadium which hosted speedway meetings for more than 70 years may be redeveloped into housing after planning applications were submitted by its owners.

Abbey Stadium in Swindon was home to the town's Robins speedway team before it closed in 2020.

The site's owners have now put forward plans to build 130 new homes on the former race track and repurpose stadium buildings as commercial and community facilities for new residents.

Some in the local council said the timing of the submission of the plans had "disappointed" them, with the future of proposals for a new speedway stadium in Swindon now uncertain.

The stadium's owners, Gaming International, said speedway was no longer viable at Abbey Stadium, and its redevelopment plans including homes, shops, leisure and community sports facilities.

The company is part of the Swindon Motorsports consortium, which has put in an application to build a new track in Studley Grange to the south of the town.

A decision on whether the new site will go ahead is not expected until the end of the year and there are fears the future of the sport in the town could be at risk.

Swindon Borough Councillor Jason Mills said he was "frustrated and disappointed" Gaming International had submitted the plans before a decision on Studley Grange had been made.

"It is for the planning committee to determine the applications, but I'm really worried that this could spell the end of speedway in the wider town," he added.

Gaming International's plan would see 130 homes built on the stadium site

Mr Mills said he had asked to 'call-in' the proposals for Abbey Stadium, meaning the plans would be debated and decided in public rather than a decision being made by the council's planning officers.

Construction on the new stadium could begin in early 2026 if plans are approved.