Comment

Preferred Options for Sites

Representation ID: 64403

Received: 02/05/2014

Respondent: Jockey Club

Representation Summary:

British Horseracing Authority (horseracing's governing body) confirmed that they would be unlikely to grant Warwick Racecourse a license to continue to race by virtue of the proximity of the Traveller site and the associated risks. Such risks could have very serious repercussions for the industry and therefore they do not wish to put the industry or the Racecourses in that position.

If that occurs, the Racecourse business (a part of Warwick's history over the last three centuries) would immediately cease. There would be significant impacts on local employment, entertainment, retail, tourism.

Full text:

On behalf of Warwick Racecourse I wish to express my deepest frustration and concern that the District Council have seen fit to retain GT11 Land at Budbrooke Lodge, albeit as a possible "Alternative" Gypsy and Traveller Site Option. However, it would indicate that the Budbrooke Lodge option is essentially still "in play".

Without reviewing all the concerns raised in my previous feedback the aspect of greatest concern is the British Horseracing Authority's (horseracing's governing body) representation that they would unlikely grant Warwick Racecourse a license to continue to race by virtue of the proximity of the Traveller site and the associated risks. The risks, should they manifest themselves could have very serious repercussions for the industry countrywide and therefore understandably do not wish to put their Industry, or one of their Racecourses in that position.

In essence they would have no choice but to not issue a license and the Racecourse business would immediately cease. The local repercussions of which would be significant on employment, entertainment, retail, tourism - the list goes on.

As a business that has been so much a part of Warwick's history over the last three centuries and continues to bring business to the local community it would be a travesty risking so much for want of engaging common sense and selecting a more appropriate alternative site for Traveller pitches.