UPDATE: 2.10pm

Blaenau Gwent planners unanimously backed the plans for The Circuit of Wales racetrack in Ebbw Vale this afternoon.

 

A DECISION on a £280 million motorsport racetrack in Ebbw Vale is expected by council planners today.

Backers of The Circuit of Wales project say it will create thousands of jobs on an 830-acre (335 hectares) site.

But opponents say the development could pose an "unacceptable environmental risk’’.

Based at Rassau Ebbw Vale, the Circuit of Wales proposal is one of UK's largest ever privately led capital investment programmes in motor sport.

Plans include an international kart track and motocross tracks as well as a technology park for research, development and support services in the automotive and motor sports sectors.

The Heads of The Valleys Development Company (HVDC) say the scheme would create 3,000 jobs during the construction phase and between 4,000 to 6,000 posts once the circuit is complete and claimed the track could host world class motorsport events, including motorcycling's Moto GP.

Officials also say the proposed development included an academy to develop young drivers as well as helping regenerate one of the poorest parts of Wales.

However, the scheme has been met with opposition amid concerns about the environment.

Among those expressing concern is the Open Spaces Society which says the circuit would damage common land on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park.

General secretary Kate Ashbrook said: "We urge Blaenau Gwent Council to give full consideration to the devastating effect this development would have on Wales's unique countryside and common land, and to refuse the application.’’ But HVDC insisted the circuit had been subjected to a rigorous environmental assessment process as part of the planning application.

A spokesman said: "Minimising the impact on the environment is one requirement of planning regulations, and environmental issues such as ecology, landscape and lighting are fully considered.

"While Wales has a huge network of common land, the Heads of the Valleys Development Company has nevertheless taken a very proactive stance in developing a strategy to find suitable replacement open access land and to make accessing specific areas of common land at our location easier than it is currently.

Blaenau Gwent Council's planning committee is expected to make a decision on the scheme at a meeting this afternoon.

FOLLOW live coverage of the planning meeting from our reporter Keiligh Baker.