THE FUTURE of Ringwood Raceway has not been decided yet as plans to demolish the established car racing track have gone back out for public consultation.
Plans were submitted late last year to turn the raceway, located off Matchams Lane in St Leonards, into a retirement village.
The controversial plan was met with hundreds of objections from people across the country who love it for its banger racing.
But now the plans have gone back out for consultation by the planning officer at Dorset Council.
Read more: Ringwood Raceway at Matchams to close to motorsport
The resubmission has been made following comments from Dorset Council officers and external consultees covering a variety of topics.
Sustainability is one of the issues, with comments noting the site is around eight kilometres from the facilities within St Leonards, and therefore it is “not considered a sustainable location for housing due to the reliance on private car.”
People from as far as Leicestershire, Devon and Somerset have voiced their objections to demolish the racetrack.
In a social media post for SOS Save our Stadium Ringwood Raceway, a spokesperson said: “We have a chance.
Read more: 'Retirement community' plan for Ringwood Raceway site
“We need your help: friends, family, drivers and spectators. A real BIG opportunity to make your statement!
“Your help now may just make a difference please help us! The more that comment the better our chances of saving the venue.
“Please note that currently the last event is due to take place on the weekend of Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 August with everyone helping we may be able to overturn or stall things but without everyone helping we have no chance.”
The consultation period will remain until Wednesday, July 27 and a decision will be made by Dorset Council at a future date.
Matchams Raceway has hosted motor racing events since 1954 and is reportedly one of the UK’s largest oval raceways used for stock car caring.
Inspired Villages submitted plans to turn the site into a retirement community – equipped with 330 age-restricted apartments and cottages.
The developer is also proposing the creation of a new 33-hectare nature conservation area and has held discussions with Natural England.
If agreed, the development could create 40 to 50 new jobs in the area.
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