Post by BVADMIN on Nov 3, 2019 0:09:02 GMT
TAKEN FROM THE RACING POST WEBSITE:::
Former GRA track Oxford closed its doors in 2012
Budimir calls for support in fight to bring back Oxford......
BY PHIL DONALDSON OF THE RACING POST
BUSINESSMAN and greyhound owner Nick Budimir has called for support as he seeks to bring Oxford Stadium back to life.
The former GRA circuit closed its doors in 2012 as owners Galliard Homes sought to build housing on the site, but Oxford City Council has steadfastly refused to sanction any planning permission for the Sandy Lane venue, leaving its would-be developers frustrated, and even sought and was granted Heritage status at one point which provided a further barrier to full scale residential development.
Now the council has confirmed it may seek a Compulsory Purchase Order to help a new operator buy the site, with a report in the Oxford Mail confirming that the local authority would allow ‘a small number of houses’ to be built there to help fund and facilitate the return of the stadium for leisure use.
Both those options have been included in a specific policy on the stadium in its new Local Plan for development which underlines the desire to bring the stadium in Blackbird Leys back into use, but also warned that without the policy ‘the city council would be unlikely to be able to stop the permanent loss of the stadium’.
Budimir, who enjoyed one of his finest moments as an owner when Ballymac Charley – who he owned in partnership with former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp – won the 2007 Pall Mall at the track, said yesterday: “I’ve been working on this possibility for the best part of five years now and the council remain 100 per cent behind the ambition to see Oxford Stadium return as a multi-purpose sports and leisure facility.
“This would include greyhound racing and speedway as mainstays, but the idea is to create a 24-7 facility for the local community to enjoy and support.
“We need people to express happy memories and stories of previous visits – be it greyhound racing or speedway – and pledges of support for a new facility and additional uses such as dance classes and go-karts.
"These will support the core council submission which is to be heard on December 3 and could be vital in helping towards a positive outcome.”
Submissions can be sent by email to Steven.Sensecall@carterjonas.co.uk or by post to Steven Sensecall at Carter Jonas, Mayfield House, 256 Banbury Road, Summertown, Oxford, OX2 7DE.
Read more in Sunday's Racing Post
Former GRA track Oxford closed its doors in 2012
Budimir calls for support in fight to bring back Oxford......
BY PHIL DONALDSON OF THE RACING POST
BUSINESSMAN and greyhound owner Nick Budimir has called for support as he seeks to bring Oxford Stadium back to life.
The former GRA circuit closed its doors in 2012 as owners Galliard Homes sought to build housing on the site, but Oxford City Council has steadfastly refused to sanction any planning permission for the Sandy Lane venue, leaving its would-be developers frustrated, and even sought and was granted Heritage status at one point which provided a further barrier to full scale residential development.
Now the council has confirmed it may seek a Compulsory Purchase Order to help a new operator buy the site, with a report in the Oxford Mail confirming that the local authority would allow ‘a small number of houses’ to be built there to help fund and facilitate the return of the stadium for leisure use.
Both those options have been included in a specific policy on the stadium in its new Local Plan for development which underlines the desire to bring the stadium in Blackbird Leys back into use, but also warned that without the policy ‘the city council would be unlikely to be able to stop the permanent loss of the stadium’.
Budimir, who enjoyed one of his finest moments as an owner when Ballymac Charley – who he owned in partnership with former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp – won the 2007 Pall Mall at the track, said yesterday: “I’ve been working on this possibility for the best part of five years now and the council remain 100 per cent behind the ambition to see Oxford Stadium return as a multi-purpose sports and leisure facility.
“This would include greyhound racing and speedway as mainstays, but the idea is to create a 24-7 facility for the local community to enjoy and support.
“We need people to express happy memories and stories of previous visits – be it greyhound racing or speedway – and pledges of support for a new facility and additional uses such as dance classes and go-karts.
"These will support the core council submission which is to be heard on December 3 and could be vital in helping towards a positive outcome.”
Submissions can be sent by email to Steven.Sensecall@carterjonas.co.uk or by post to Steven Sensecall at Carter Jonas, Mayfield House, 256 Banbury Road, Summertown, Oxford, OX2 7DE.
Read more in Sunday's Racing Post
