Cheers as Ebbw Vale racetrack, the Circuit of Wales approved

At the special meeting today to decide whether to grant outline planning permission, councillors were presented with a report by the head of planning and building control at the council, Steve Smith, before hearing from two objectors, a supporter and CEO of the company behind the plans.

Cheers were heard from the public gallery when Cllr Brian Scully moved the recommendation to grant application and the council voted unanimously in favour of approving the plan, which, if it goes ahead, will see a multi-million motorsports facility built in Ebbw Vale.

The plans comprise of a high-performance circuit, motocross circuit, karting circuit, four-wheel drive circuit, riding academy, innovation centre, hotels; retail showrooms, ancillary retail, driver training area, solar park, camping and parking.

But objector Elizabeth Gibbs from the Brecon Beacons National Park Trust said the plans will impact on a large area of biodiversity and would go against LDP and WAG guidelines. Mrs Gibbs said the trust is also concerned about noise and light pollution and asked members to refuse permission.

The second objector, Gwyneth Love, said she was an ordinary citizen, but that people in Powys were ‘frightened and scared’.

She told the council: “I beg you to think of the lives on the other side of the border, where a lot of people feel their lives will be ruined by noise.”

Michael Carrick, CEO of the Heads of the Valleys Development Company told the council the plans are one of the most significant private investments in the UK.

After the meeting he told the Argus: “It’s not often you get a unanimous vote at a planning meeting -I think it reflects the hard work and engagement we had with the council and our partners.

“We have a lot of work to do, but the decision gives us confidence, knowing we have so much support to move forward with this project.”

Leader of Blaenau Gwent council Hedley McCarthy said: “I am very pleased. Of course we understand the environmental concerns – I was executive member for environment for six and a half years, and it’s something very much close to my heart, but given the situation with employment in Blaenau Gwent, which has been exacerbated by government cuts, we have to put people first.”

Bosses expect the track to attract around 750,000 visitors a year, and as many as 1,500 training posts could be created and directly funded by the development, as well as providing an academy for safer driving and riding. Up to 3,000 construction jobs and 6,000 operational jobs could be created.

Racetrack hopes to attract Moto GP by 2015

Racetrack bosses are hopeful they will now be bringing Moto GP to the circuit by 2015 following the decision to give the project permission.

Carmelo Ezpeleta, chief executive officer of Dorna which owns the rights to MotoGP said: “It’s fantastic. I think this is a very important programme for MotoGP and for motor sport in general. It is good for the area and good for the community, and the team behind it will have whatever help they need from us. We have already been working with them and we will continue to do so.”

AMs' welcome for move

Mohammad Asghar AM, Shadow Minister for Sport, welcomed the green light for the Circuit of Wales, saying: “Wales has a growing reputation for sporting excellence and staging major international events and the development of this race track would further broaden Wales’ appeal as a venue for sporting events.

“I hope Welsh Labour Ministers will support this development and the positive benefits it could bring to the South Wales Valleys.”

William Graham, Assembly Member for South Wales East, added: “I welcome this decision, which could result in the creation of hundreds of skilled construction jobs and many more in the long term.

“As well as a potential tourist draw and venue for sporting excellence, this race track could bring welcome economic benefits for some of the poorest communities in South Wales.”