Revamped showground bringing 1,000 jobs, bosses say

The development for the site includes plans for various sporting facilities, including bowling and mini-golf

The company behind the controversial redevelopment of a showground has said the project could create about 1,000 jobs once completed.

Asset Earning Power Group (AEPG) wants to build 1,500 homes, a leisure complex, primary school and care home at the East of England Showground in Peterborough.

The Peterborough Panthers speedway team have already said goodbye to the ground as a result.

AEPG chief executive officer Ashley Butterfield said it was "sad" the speedway team had left but said the project was entering "really exciting times moving forward at pace".

"We have huge support," said Mr Butterfield, speaking to BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

"What we hear is 'the loss of the speedway' and again our empathy and sadness for the speedway fans is there, but what we are bringing forward is massively supported."

The Peterborough Speedway team has been homeless since the last race in October

Four documents from the developer were published on Peterborough City Council's website last month and outlined plans for a 50-bay golf range and a lake.

AEPG also wants to build a 250-bedroom hotel and a 60,000sq ft (5,574sq m) "family entertainment space".

The company, which operates the showground on behalf of the East of England Agricultural Society charity, thinks the finished product could add £55m per year to the city's economy.

Supporters were invited on track to take a walk of the circuit after the last race in October at the showground

Supporters of the speedway club and members of a Peterborough Speedway consortium have called for inclusion in the redevelopment.

"We are really sad for the speedway fans and that's genuine," said Mr Butterfield.

"But we struggle, if I'm honest, to articulate that speedway will be no longer at the showground.

"It was non viable for the showground as trustees and a charity to continue to operate, regardless of planning."

Mick Bratley, a member of the consortium, previously said "we're not looking to find a new home, we want to stay at the showground".

The club has been based there since 1970.