CAMPAIGNING group The Open Spaces Society, has come out against the circuit of Wales motorsport centre.

The centre which received the unanimous backing of Blaenau Gwent councillors would be built on what the society says is common land.

The Open Spaces Society, Natural Resources Wales, the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, the Gwent and Brecknock Wildlife Trusts and other objectors have argued that the development would result in unacceptable loss of common land.

General secretary of the Open Spaces Society Kate Ashbrook said: “Nearly the whole development is on registered common land— Trefil Las and Twyn Bryn- March—where the public has the right to walk and ride.

“It is essential that the applicant finds suitable land in exchange, a tall order, and that this is approved by the Welsh Government, before any development can go ahead.

She added that in the view of the society this requirement “leaves a big questionmark over the development and it is not yet clear that it can proceed.

‘We do not knowwhere the applicant can find such land, but until the commonland issues are resolved, nothing can happen on the common.”

She added: “We are dismayed that the council has approved this damaging development.

“We accept the need for jobs, but we fear for the environment and people’s quiet enjoyment of the commons.”

Bosses expect the £280 million 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.