Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2009 18:32:09 GMT
Taken from the BSPA site.........
SCUNTHORPE Speedway has received some outstanding news ahead of the biggest weekend in its history.
With a variety of Elite League riders set to take centre stage in the Kenny Smith Memorial meeting on Friday night and a large crowd expected for a Qualifying Round of Formula One Stockcar World Championship on Saturday.
It would be easy to think things couldn’t get any better for the club that has risen from a grass field on the north side of town over the last five years. However, perhaps the biggest news is that North Lincolnshire Council have taken notice of the club and its supporters and made the decision that they “will no longer consider Normanby Road in Scunthorpe as a possible site for Gypsies and Travellers”.
A council press release confirmed “Following a campaign by local residents and nearby businesses, the council has listened to their concerns and dropped plans for a site next to the Scunthorpe Scorpions speedway team. As part of the council’s consultation process, a team from Salford University carried out a survey that found Gypsies and Travellers don’t want to live on the Normanby Road site mainly due to lack of access to local facilities, its location, site history and closeness to the nearby quarry. Combined with the feelings of local residents and businesses, the council has made the decision not to continue with plans for a site on Normanby Road”.
“Cllr Mick Grant, Cabinet member for Housing and Strategic Regeneration, said: We originally looked at this site because at that time there were Gypsies and Travellers in the area and the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment identified Scunthorpe as a preferred site. However, we became aware of concerns from local residents and businesses who presented a petition to the council objecting to the proposal. I also met with Rob Godfrey of the Scunthorpe Scorpions speedway team who presented his case to me. After carrying out further work and talking to the Gypsy and Traveller community, the council has made the decision to not progress with this site.”
After the announcement Scunthorpe Speedway Promoter Rob Godfrey, Scunthorpe Speedway, said “This is just the best news we’ve had. Ever since we started up we’ve had this hanging over us and it has been a real worry. It is a great relief and it is just great that we can now continue in our quest to make our stadium the pride of North Lincolnshire. We have to thank Councillor Mick Grant for listening to his constituents, for listening to the travellers, who didn’t want to be sited at Conesby Quarry, and for working with us. We also have to thank all those people who campaigned against the site. To everyone who delivered leaflets, signed petitions and sent in letters to the council we are very grateful and special thanks also needs to go to Julie Harrowven and Paul Duff who helped coordinate the campaign and met the council last winter. Thank you to everyone involved”.
SCUNTHORPE Speedway has received some outstanding news ahead of the biggest weekend in its history.
With a variety of Elite League riders set to take centre stage in the Kenny Smith Memorial meeting on Friday night and a large crowd expected for a Qualifying Round of Formula One Stockcar World Championship on Saturday.
It would be easy to think things couldn’t get any better for the club that has risen from a grass field on the north side of town over the last five years. However, perhaps the biggest news is that North Lincolnshire Council have taken notice of the club and its supporters and made the decision that they “will no longer consider Normanby Road in Scunthorpe as a possible site for Gypsies and Travellers”.
A council press release confirmed “Following a campaign by local residents and nearby businesses, the council has listened to their concerns and dropped plans for a site next to the Scunthorpe Scorpions speedway team. As part of the council’s consultation process, a team from Salford University carried out a survey that found Gypsies and Travellers don’t want to live on the Normanby Road site mainly due to lack of access to local facilities, its location, site history and closeness to the nearby quarry. Combined with the feelings of local residents and businesses, the council has made the decision not to continue with plans for a site on Normanby Road”.
“Cllr Mick Grant, Cabinet member for Housing and Strategic Regeneration, said: We originally looked at this site because at that time there were Gypsies and Travellers in the area and the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment identified Scunthorpe as a preferred site. However, we became aware of concerns from local residents and businesses who presented a petition to the council objecting to the proposal. I also met with Rob Godfrey of the Scunthorpe Scorpions speedway team who presented his case to me. After carrying out further work and talking to the Gypsy and Traveller community, the council has made the decision to not progress with this site.”
After the announcement Scunthorpe Speedway Promoter Rob Godfrey, Scunthorpe Speedway, said “This is just the best news we’ve had. Ever since we started up we’ve had this hanging over us and it has been a real worry. It is a great relief and it is just great that we can now continue in our quest to make our stadium the pride of North Lincolnshire. We have to thank Councillor Mick Grant for listening to his constituents, for listening to the travellers, who didn’t want to be sited at Conesby Quarry, and for working with us. We also have to thank all those people who campaigned against the site. To everyone who delivered leaflets, signed petitions and sent in letters to the council we are very grateful and special thanks also needs to go to Julie Harrowven and Paul Duff who helped coordinate the campaign and met the council last winter. Thank you to everyone involved”.