Track plans gather pace

12:36pm Friday 17th August 2007

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Plans to bring back Cradley Heath speedway have moved a further step closer with a planning application in the final stages before being presented to Dudley Council.

After more than ten years away from the track, campaigners have now reached the culmination of a campaign to bring the club back to the borough.

Bob Edwards of Cradley Raising Aid Saving Heathens (CRASH) has reported the hold-ups on the application have now been dealt with and following a site inspection, they feel the council's concerns can be successfully addressed.

Rumours have surfaced the new site may be on green belt behind Halesowen Harriers football club. Although members are still remaining tight-lipped as to the exact location.

Cradley and Foxcote councillor Gaye Partridge said: "We are calling for information to be put in the public domain as soon as possible.

"The green belt land is of archaeological interest as arrowheads from the Iron Age have been found there and previous planning applications for that site have been rejected because of it.

"We are enthusiastic about Speedway returning, as it is a jewel in our sporting crown, but this is another disastrous consultation once again by Dudley Council."

Bob Edwards said: "We are currently trying to set up a meeting with council officials to just dot the i's and cross the t's.

"The meeting can't come quickly enough for us, as we are keen to make real progress as soon as possible."

Meanwhile, members are urging fans to continue signing the petition, which will be handed to council planners, to show the level of support for the Heathens returning back to the borough.

Following the huge success of the paper-based petition, with over 2,000 signatures being collected at the Grand Prix in Cardiff, members have launched an online petition at www.gopetition.com/petitions/bring-back-cradley-speedway.html Set up just a few days ago, the petition has already attracted more than 1,200 signatures from all over the world and campaigners are hoping all fans will log on and show their support.

On Bob's submission on the petition website, he states the proposal is permitted by the council's Unitary Development Plan clause relating to green belt land, which could suggest the team could soon be relocating to the rumoured site.

A recent poll on the Halesowen News website revealed overwhelming support for the Heathens return with 93 per cent backing plans.

We want to hear your views as proposals go into the final stages. What do you think about this possible site?

Click on this story and post your comment.

Alternatively click on the link below to vote yes or no in this week's readers' poll - Would you like to see speedway on green belt behind Halesowen Harriers?