Ribble Valley racecourse plans 'back on track' (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Ribble Valley racecourse plans 'back on track'

7:20pm Thursday 19th November 2009

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FUNDING for a new all-weather ‘super racecourse’ in East Lancashire is back on track, bosses have announced.

The £100million plan for a racecourse between Read and Simonstone has stalled after the death of one of its lead figures and the effects of the recession.

But bosses have approached a trust fund set up to support regeneration projects.

A report to be presented to council leaders said: “Negotiations are well advanced to secure the funding required to take the racecourse proposals through the feasibility stages and for its eventual construction.”

The consortium behind the scheme, known as Voltigeur, has asked the fund for a formal commitment to pay for building work. A decision is expected by the end of the year.

If the bid is successful, feasibility studies will be carried out in the New Year and a planning application will be prepared.

This could be complicated as the site, next to the River Calder, in on green belt land and also on a flood plain, so a case will have to be made to the Environment Agency.

Residents raised concerns about the plans at public meetings in 2007.

The site is in Ribble Valley but the proposed access road cuts through Burnley.

The report will go before the new Pennine Lancashire committee, made up of council leaders on November 26.

It says: “The project has the potential to provide a major visitor attraction and to bring employment and investment.”

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