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Post by Administrator on Jul 16, 2013 6:49:58 GMT
wimbledonspeedway] Possible Return of Speedway To Wimbledon Stadium Hide Details From markaston1 To wimbledonspeedway@yahoogroups.co.uk Some of you may already be aware that Paschal Taggart has made a bid with National Asset Management Agency (Ireland) for the development of the Wimbledon Stadium site in Plough Lane for a new state of the art greyhound stadium. I have had communications with Paschal's legal counsel and if the bid is successful she has indicated that Paschal would be interested in discussing with us whether their might be a suitable opportunity for allowing speedway racing to take place in the new stadium.
We are a very long way from actually making this a reality, but clearly this potential development represents the only real prospect of speedway racing ever returning to Plough Lane, given that the present owners of the site Risk Capital Partners and Galliard Homes are trying to maximise the value of the site by putting forward a proposal that would see the end of any multi-sport use.
Merton Council have designated the site for the Intensification of Sport and Leisure, but the fight that Paschal's proposals have is making sure that the Council applies total impartiality to the bids being put forward particularly regards the AFC Wimbledon bid which would also see the end of any motor sport at Wimbledon Stadium.
Where speedway fans can help and particularly those that live within Merton and the Greater London Area is to write to the Leader of Merton Council and the Mayor of London to make the case for a multi-use stadium that could be potentially used by all the family for a range of sports. In writing in support of the development we have the opportunity of demonstrating to Paschal Taggart the level of support there is for speedway racing in Wimbledon and hopefully help secure with the local planning authorities approval to a stadium development that keeps alive the possibility of one day speedway racing returning to Plough Lane.
The contact details if you want to help with this project are listed below.
Cllr Stephen Alambritis Leader of the Council
London Borough of Merton Merton Civic Centre London Road Morden, SM4 5DX Email: stephen.alambritis@merton.gov.uk
Boris Johnson Mayor of London Greater London Authority City Hall The Queen's Walk More London London SE1 2AA By email: mayor@london.gov.uk (please also provide your postal address in the email)
Best wishes
Ian Perkin
PS: Perhaps Derek Barclay or some other member of the forum would be kind enough to post this message on the British Speedway Forum.
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Post by Administrator on Jul 16, 2013 20:25:17 GMT
Here's an interesting response to this topic now posted by Derek Barclay on the British Speedway Forum. I still like the method that Ian has suggested in regard to action to support a speedway return at Wimbledon Stadium, but this gives some food for thought. I don't know, but could this suggestion also be modified into what has originally been advocated, but obviously not if it will derail things. The BSF comment is:: ::::: From the British Speedway Forum: I wish those associated with The Dons every success in their bid to get the bikes roaring around again in South West London. However, and with all due respect, would it not be more advantageous to set up an online petition to the aforementioned parties? I would imagine that the amount of Speedway fans within the London area is now quite low. Many of us have moved out - but would dearly love to show our support. Writing letters is (unfortunately) a dying art form these days for many. To this end, an online petition may possibly generate a much greater response? Once again, sincere best wishes in your efforts. Oh for the days of Speedway at Plough Lane, and my beloved Waterden Road.
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Post by Administrator on Jul 17, 2013 8:41:24 GMT
An important message as seen on the Wimbledon Speedway forum:: ::::: --- In wimbledonspeedway@yahoogroups.co.uk, "markaston1" <markaston1@...> wrote:
Derek The Mayor's office has made it clear that they will not consider e-mails that do not include an address. I agree that London addresses would have most impact which is no doubt why the Mayor's will not consider comments unless the address is given. Ian
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Post by Administrator on Jul 18, 2013 6:49:01 GMT
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Post by Administrator on Jul 18, 2013 8:37:26 GMT
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Post by Administrator on Jul 18, 2013 13:51:45 GMT
::::::::::Forwarded message:::: --- In oldtimespeedway@yahoogroups.com, ROBERT ROGERS <bobjayrogers758@...> wrote: Had a response from the Mayors office, so at least it has been read. ----- Forwarded Message ----- ::::::: From: "no_replies@..." <no_replies@...> To: bobjayrogers758@... Sent: Wednesday, 17 July 2013, 7:18 Subject: RE: Speedway to Return to London From: bobjayrogers758@... To: mayor@... Subject: Speedway to Return to London Thank you for your interest in the work of the Mayor and the Greater London Authority, we are keen to answer your query as quickly and fully as possible. As you will appreciate, the Mayor receives a very large amount of correspondence but he is committed to responding to your query within 20 working days. Further information on our service standards, and where exceptions may be applied, is available on our website at: www.london.gov.uk/contact-us/service-standardsWhere appropriate we may refer queries to the relevant Greater London Authority (GLA) functional body for them to reply, for example Transport related queries will be passed on to Transport for London (TfL). Thank you for taking the time to write to the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson. Yours truly Public Liaison Unit Sign up for a monthly email from the Mayor at talklondon.london.gov.uk/forms/mail-mayor
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Post by Administrator on Jul 18, 2013 18:30:36 GMT
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Post by Administrator on Jul 19, 2013 16:12:50 GMT
Forwarded message::: :::::::::
On 19 Jul 2013, at 16:21, Jim Henry wrote:
I'm sorry I can't give details as I am based north of the border. However, I'm sure there must be some scheme for Community Planning in England. I'm sure there used to be Guidance re this which identified communities as both area and interest group based organisations. I'm sure if someone could call into their local planning department they could dig out current guidance and see how it might help with trying to secure some kind of provision for speedway. Unless speedway supporting interest groups make their needs known to local authorities (at officer and, more importantly, elected member levels) then nothing will happen. Jim Henry, Speedway Researcher website.
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Post by Administrator on Jul 30, 2013 21:54:41 GMT
Important update from Ian Perkin:
I have been given a leaflet by Paschal Taggart's legal advisor Diane McLean,which gives all the information about who to contact to help with the campaign to redevelop Wimbledon Stadium as a greyhound venue. Again Diane has indicated that if the plans are approved they hope to discuss with us the possibility of reintroducing speedway to the stadium. She has also asked that she is copied in to any e-mails that are sent in support of the campaign so that they can gauge the level of support for the proposals. I should be grateful if I could also be copied into any e-mails that are being sent (ianperkin@wimbledonspeedway.co.uk) so that I can similarly gauge the level of support coming from speedway fans which will be useful in any future negotiations should the stadium plans get that far. It is still clearly a long shot that speedway will ever return to Plough Lane, but there is no other course available that offers any kind of realistic prospect of a return other than that being put forward by Mr Taggart, so anything that speedway fans across the country can do has to be worth the effort.
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Post by Administrator on Jul 31, 2013 6:30:39 GMT
Forwarded message:::: ::::::::::
e: A Wimbledon return? from e-mail derek.banks11 to you Show Details I was first taken to speedway at Plough Lane in about 1947 by my favourite uncle and have been a fan and supporter of the sport ever since. It was quite an emotional evening when speedway made a come back to the stadium. By that time my uncle had died but I was able in the pouring rain to stand near to where we had stood in the Ronnie Moore days. We had travelled up from Frimley in Surrey. Regrettably our local team Reading Racers were also thrown out of their track and the stadium demolished. Five years later it is still waste ground! Oxford was also a viable option but again a longish drive and the future of this venue for the sport's return is still in doubt
Both Swindon, Poole, Eastbourne and Lakeside are options but also long drives for a couple from Frimley in Surrey but now into their 70s. If Reading never return which is more than likely the Dons at Plough Lane would make a just viable option for us with the added attraction of emotional family ties. At the moment big business appears to have decided the best place for us is sitting at home, passive captives, in front of the TV set watching Sky or Euro Sport. However enjoyable these broadcasts are they are no substitute for the real thing but perhaps that is want the powers that be want. After all when chained to your tv sets you won't be clogging up the roads or causing all sorts of other mayhem. Perhaps that was what George Orwell was hinting at when he wrote the classic 1984.
We therefore support wholeheartedly the return of speedway to Plough Lane.
Pamela and Derek Banks
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Post by Administrator on Aug 8, 2013 18:17:44 GMT
Wimbledon & South London Press, July 19, 2013: story re Wimbledon Stadium.Attachments:WE19.88.7TH.pdf (975.2 KB)
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Post by Administrator on Aug 9, 2013 23:04:16 GMT
Wimbledon & South London Press, Friday, August 9, 2013.
By BEN MALONEY
Wimbledon & South London Press, Friday, August 9, 2013
By BEN MALONEY
THE war of words overt he future of London’s last surviving dog track has escalated ahead of a crucial council meeting.
Paschal Taggart, the man behind the We Want Wimbledon campaign, said it is “crunch time” for Wimbledon greyhound stadium in a leaflet aimed at building support for his dog track plans The leaflet encourages supporters to write to Merton council leader Cllr Stephen Alambritis and London Mayor Boris Johnson ahead of a council meeting to discuss the proposals on September 11.
Mr Taggart wants to build what he has called “The Royal Ascot of greyhound racing” at Plough Lane, but fears the site will be used instead to provide a new stadium for AFC Wimbledon. The football club currently play outside the borough, in Kingsmeadow, Kingston.
A spokeswoman for We Want Wimbledon said the new press campaign was to highlight the value of a dog track. She said: “The leaflet is to show the council that there is a considerable degree of support for this plan.
“We were concerned about the fact that there might be some bias towards AFC Wimbledon, because the council had previously pledged to bring the club back to the borough.
“But there are several other decent sites in the borough and AFC Wimbledon do not need a 10-15,000-seater stadium . “We’ll be open 52 weeks of the year and not 23 days of the year.”
AFC Wimbledon chief executive Erik Samuelson, whose club ha submitted a rival bid for the site, said: “I’m not going to comment on someone else’s campaign.
“It would not be appropriate. We have made our submission to the council and will make a decision nearer the time about whether or not to attend the council’s meeting on September 11.”
Mr Taggart’s campaign claims his proposal will bring significant employment opportunities and local trade to what it terms “an often neglected corner of SW17” by proposing a 6,000-capacity stadium with retail use, a £4million squash and fitness club and a 500-space car park for staff at the nearby St George’s Hospital.
Boris Johnson has already pledged to retain greyhound racing in the capital as part of his strategic plan and supported similar projects in Catford and Walthamstow.
A decision is expected to be made by Merton council early next year.
newsdesk@slp.co.uk
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Post by Administrator on Sept 10, 2013 22:13:33 GMT
Just seen this on the Merton Council web site under 'Meetings of the Council'
http://www.merton.go...t&event_id=3564
'Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium - Council meeting 11 September 2013 The council is aware that some residents may be under the false impression that a decision relating to Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium is on the agenda for this meeting. Please note that the stadium is NOT on tonight's formal agenda and no decision will be made about this site at the meeting. This is because the site's designation for "sporting intensification" was decided at the full council meeting on 10th July. This decision will now go to the Secretary of State for approval. To date, no planning application(s) have been received from any parties who have expressed an interest in the greyhound site. If and when any planning application does come forward this would be dealt with by our Planning Applications Committee and subject to our usual planning consultation processes.'
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Post by Administrator on Sept 20, 2013 7:14:26 GMT
This is currently on the BSF in regard to Wimbledon Stadium. Does it indicate where Merton Council's real hopes for the place is - and bear in mind the recent confusion over the recent council meeting regarding the stadiu,. :::::::The BSF message reads:
Seems AFC Wimbledon have a plan to develop Plough Lane for a football stadium in a joint deal with Galliard Homes (yes them again) and build an 111,000 stadium and 600 homes according to this report on the BBC Sport website
AFC Wimbledon submit proposal for Plough Lane stadium
AFC Wimbledon have submitted a proposal to redevelop Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium to Merton Council, which could see the club return to Plough Lane. The Dons have submitted plans to build an 11,000-capacity stadium which could later be expanded to 20,000. The club also propose building 600 homes in conjunction with Gaillard Homes as part of the redevelopment. The original Wimbledon FC were forced to leave Plough Lane in 1991 following the publication of the Taylor Report. The Taylor Report, published in the wake of the Hillsborough disaster, recommended that all top-flight sides should play in all-seater stadia. The original Wimbledon shared Selhurst Park with Crystal Palace until 2002, when they were given permission to move to Milton Keynes.
AFC Wimbledon, who were formed in response to the relocation, have played all their home games at Kingsmeadow and bought the ground from Kingstonian in March 2003. The League Two club say the submission of their plans is "a significant step" in fulfilling its ambition to return to its traditional home in the London Borough of Merton. Merton Council have also received other proposals for the future of the Greyhound Stadium as part of their "call for sites", which asked for suggestions for sites which have the potential for development or redevelopment within the borough. One plan suggests constructing a new greyhound stadium on the land. The Dons estimate construction costs for the first phase of the stadium to be in the region of £16m. Funds would be raised through a combination of the sale of naming rights for the new stadium, a community share issue and funds from enabling development. AFC Wimbledon chief executive Erik Samuelson said: "There is a long way to go before our plans become a reality. "Before we can submit a planning application, there are two significant hurdles that must be overcome. "First, we must win the support of Merton Council for our proposal that the site should be developed as a football stadium. "Second, the designation must be reviewed and approved by an independent inspector. "The review will cover all the sites in Merton and it is likely that the result won't be known until about March 2014."
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Post by Administrator on Sept 20, 2013 9:26:13 GMT
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