Post by Nevs on Aug 19, 2006 17:38:25 GMT
Sadly as reported elsewhere on this forum by Squibby and Swedebasher there were negative vibes eminating from Exeter in the press today about the future of our beloved Falcons and the planning.
I have reposted it here as I know some fans from afar only read this particular section.
Totally gutted reading that today as everyone must be.
Lets hope its not the end and a way can be found through this somehow.
From the Echo and Western Morning news.
" FALCONS FUTURE LOOKING BLEAK
More Headlines | Back to home page
11:40 - 19 August 2006
Speedway may never return to Exeter because of a planning wrangle over a small area of heathland at the Falcons' proposed new home on Haldon Hill. The future of the sport in the city - which first started in 1929 - is under serious threat because Teignbridge District Council has ordered Falcons officials to carry out a survey of the wildlife in the two-acre area of heathland at Exeter Racecourse that will be cleared to make way for part of their proposed new track. But that survey needed to have started in March or April if the Falcons, who left their long-term County Ground home last year, were to be able to compete in next year's Premier League.
And if the Exeter speedway licence goes unused for a second season there is a good chance another promoter could take over the licence and use it to launch a new track elsewhere in the country.
Falcons backer and city businessman Allen Trump admits the team's future is now looking bleak.
"We have been in consultation with the council since last November and there was no mention of an environmental survey," he said. "But out of the blue last month we were informed that we had to carry out a summer survey."
"Finding out in July gave us no chance. And this is bearing in mind there is already planning permission for a track up there that covers twice the area we have put in for. I think it's a nonsense.
"The actual new area we require for the track is less than two acres of heathland. It's an area of 50 metres by 160 metres in a total area of 240 acres of heathland - it's as insignificant as that.
"They have asked us to prove there will be no disturbance to the wildlife in that area, even though they have got another 238 acres. That's how ridiculous it is - it's laughable
"We've got the backing of the two local councils, the district councillors and there have been 1,000 letters of support, yet we are now at serious risk because of less than two acres of heathland."
Despite this latest setback to the Falcons' hopes of finding a new home, Trump is still determined to do everything he can to bring speedway back to the city.
The Exeter club had originally hoped to move to a new track at Westpoint when they left the soon to be demolished County Ground.
But those plans were scuppered by opposition from local residents.
That forced Terry Russell and his GoSpeed company to eventually pull out, but Trump stepped in as backer and vowed to take the Falcons to Haldon Hill, which was used as a longtrack circuit some 25 years ago.
But those efforts now appear to be under serious threat despite the widespread support the scheme has enjoyed.
"We are fighting a deadline because if we are to run next season we have to declare that at the BSPA conference in November," he said.
"And the lack of planning is also jeopardising the licence. It's on ice at the moment but it can be acquired by another club or promoter at any time - it's a valuable commodity.
"If that licence is revoked we would then have to apply for another one and there's no guarantee we would get it. The lack of planning could potentially cause real problems with the licence.
"I can't understand how something as relatively insignificant as a small piece of heathland can jeopardise a sport that's been run in Exeter since 1929 and gives pleasure to thousands of people.
"The future is under threat because for as long as you haven't got a licence you haven't got a future or even a club.
"The Falcons can't be allowed to die because of planning red tape."
I have reposted it here as I know some fans from afar only read this particular section.
Totally gutted reading that today as everyone must be.
Lets hope its not the end and a way can be found through this somehow.
From the Echo and Western Morning news.
" FALCONS FUTURE LOOKING BLEAK
More Headlines | Back to home page
11:40 - 19 August 2006
Speedway may never return to Exeter because of a planning wrangle over a small area of heathland at the Falcons' proposed new home on Haldon Hill. The future of the sport in the city - which first started in 1929 - is under serious threat because Teignbridge District Council has ordered Falcons officials to carry out a survey of the wildlife in the two-acre area of heathland at Exeter Racecourse that will be cleared to make way for part of their proposed new track. But that survey needed to have started in March or April if the Falcons, who left their long-term County Ground home last year, were to be able to compete in next year's Premier League.
And if the Exeter speedway licence goes unused for a second season there is a good chance another promoter could take over the licence and use it to launch a new track elsewhere in the country.
Falcons backer and city businessman Allen Trump admits the team's future is now looking bleak.
"We have been in consultation with the council since last November and there was no mention of an environmental survey," he said. "But out of the blue last month we were informed that we had to carry out a summer survey."
"Finding out in July gave us no chance. And this is bearing in mind there is already planning permission for a track up there that covers twice the area we have put in for. I think it's a nonsense.
"The actual new area we require for the track is less than two acres of heathland. It's an area of 50 metres by 160 metres in a total area of 240 acres of heathland - it's as insignificant as that.
"They have asked us to prove there will be no disturbance to the wildlife in that area, even though they have got another 238 acres. That's how ridiculous it is - it's laughable
"We've got the backing of the two local councils, the district councillors and there have been 1,000 letters of support, yet we are now at serious risk because of less than two acres of heathland."
Despite this latest setback to the Falcons' hopes of finding a new home, Trump is still determined to do everything he can to bring speedway back to the city.
The Exeter club had originally hoped to move to a new track at Westpoint when they left the soon to be demolished County Ground.
But those plans were scuppered by opposition from local residents.
That forced Terry Russell and his GoSpeed company to eventually pull out, but Trump stepped in as backer and vowed to take the Falcons to Haldon Hill, which was used as a longtrack circuit some 25 years ago.
But those efforts now appear to be under serious threat despite the widespread support the scheme has enjoyed.
"We are fighting a deadline because if we are to run next season we have to declare that at the BSPA conference in November," he said.
"And the lack of planning is also jeopardising the licence. It's on ice at the moment but it can be acquired by another club or promoter at any time - it's a valuable commodity.
"If that licence is revoked we would then have to apply for another one and there's no guarantee we would get it. The lack of planning could potentially cause real problems with the licence.
"I can't understand how something as relatively insignificant as a small piece of heathland can jeopardise a sport that's been run in Exeter since 1929 and gives pleasure to thousands of people.
"The future is under threat because for as long as you haven't got a licence you haven't got a future or even a club.
"The Falcons can't be allowed to die because of planning red tape."
