Next phase of Swindon’s Abbey Stadium development could finally begin

Swindon’s speedway fans are hopeful that the redevelopment of Abbey Stadium may finally be completed. The project was advanced when five new planning applications were submitted to the local council.

Gaming International, the owners of the speedway and greyhounds racing stadium, were granted planning permission the council, as standard, stipulated certain conditions should be met before each phase of the work could start.

Since outline planning permission was granted a decade ago, progress has been frustratingly slow, with final approval granted two years ago. Preliminary work started in September 2021, but with the stadium nowhere near completion, the original predicted finish date of summer this year is now impossible.

However, Taylor Wimpey, the building firm charged with the redevelopment has now submitted a request to have five of the council’s conditions signed off.

The firm has submitted plans for its construction vehicle wheel cleaning facility, a sustainability strategy, a tree pit design, boundary treatment and landscape protection and maintenance plan.

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North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson, who has been pressing Gaming International to get on with the redevelopment, said: “Swindon Borough Council rightly put on strict conditions in relation to the construction work.

“These five applications and associated works must be completed before the final phase can begin. These strategies are part of this milestone. This is positive but it is still not completed.

“Crucially it is my understanding that Swindon Speedway Club and supporters need certainty by the very end of September to have the confidence to put together a team for next season.”

Last month, fans of Swindon’s Speedway team, the Robins, gathered outside the stadium to voice their concern at the lack of visible progress on the site.

Cliff Williams from Lechlade, who organised the demonstration, said "Nothing has been done to this stadium, nothing has been done for two months, we’ve had perfect weather.

“We would just like to have some answers from the council or Gaming International, anybody that’s behind the project.

“As it stands there will be no speedway next year if that’s the case we may not get the fans back after three years.”

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