Donington to get go ahead for British GP

Eurosport - Tue, 06 Jan 10:31:00 2009

Planning permission to enable Donington Park to press ahead with its £100 million re-development to host the British Grand Prix from next year is "in the bag", according to circuit CEO Simon Gillett.

2008 British GP Donington - 0

Gillett's comments come after a report reasoned that the economic benefits of Formula One coming to the region would outweigh any negative noise disruption.

The Leicestershire venue - previously the scene of the European Grand Prix back in 1993 - was awarded a ten-year contract to welcome Britain's blue riband motorsport event as of 2010, taking over from its traditional home of Silverstone.

There have since been numerous concerns expressed about Donington's lack of current infrastructure to cope with the high demands of F1, poor access and insufficient time to produce the necessary improvements and modifications to host such a large-profile meeting.

However, an environmental study conducted by track bosses has revealed that whilst there will be more traffic and noise levels will increase in some neighbouring communities by 0.2 decibels due to the re-alignment of the track, financial spin-offs will more than compensate for any such inconveniences.

"The development offers substantial economic opportunities," Mark Alflat, director of community services at South Derbyshire District Council told the Derby Evening Telegraph. "The grand prix has the potential to attract both visitor spend and inward investment.

"New facilities, along with associated developments, will create substantial construction employment opportunities. This would bring new investment and highly-skilled employment opportunities to the area.

"Track revisions will generally be positive, or give rise to only very minor changes. However, there are a small number of areas which could experience notable changes in noise levels."

North West Leicestershire District Council is due to make a final decision on planning permission on Thursday (January 8), after hearing recommendations from South Derbyshire District Council's environmental committee.

"We are confident we have the planning in the bag," Donington Ventures Leisure Ltd chief executive Gillett assured.

Should the plans indeed receive final approval, the first phase - due for completion in time for the grand prix - would take in a circuit extension and new pit and paddock complex, as well as a new media centre, medical centre and clubhouse. Phase two, to be completed later, would include the construction of a new main grandstand.

Crash.net / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 17 of 37

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  1. The plight of the UK populatioin would be mightily­ eased if you would take a very long walk off a very­ short pier.

    From Biggles, on Mon 5 Jan 7:31PM

  2. Let us know how you get on in Canada - it was cancelled­ last year. DOH

    From Biggles, on Mon 5 Jan 7:22PM

  3. well apparently, donnington will be a all public­ transport race, so no cars...good help us all

    From NUNO, on Mon 5 Jan 7:06PM

  4. good news for british motorsport long may it last.

    From nigelwoods10, on Mon 5 Jan 7:04PM
  5. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Does anyone no how much it is to go and see a grand­ prix overseas? i fancie the Velencia street race on the­ Candian grand prix not sure total cost b&b tickets­ flights etc please replie

    many thanks

    From Tom M, on Mon 5 Jan 6:59PM

  6. MGA: Have you actually been to either Donington or­ Silverstone to make such a crass comment?

    From Biggles, on Mon 5 Jan 6:55PM

  7. Anyone who has attended an international race meeting­ at Donington knows that access by car is a nightmare -­ 10 times worse than Silverstone or Brands. Of course­ this won't inconvenience Mad Max or the Poisoned­ Dwarf in their private jets and helicopters landing at­ the airport next door!

    From Biggles, on Mon 5 Jan 6:50PM

  8. silverstone was told time and time again to up the­ anty,
    the facilities compared to china ,bahrain etc­ says it all about silverstone with the butty wagons­ comical really ebgland needs a brand new track smack in­ the middle of blighty so access can be gained by all­ ,get one built after donningtn has had ago

    From rock, on Mon 5 Jan 6:29PM

  9. i go to the bike meetings at donny and its a @#$% to­ get out on a bike let alone a car i also go to the F1­ at silverstone love them both, they should of put the­ money into both kept silverstone for the cars and donny­ for the bikes, british motor sports is very much alive­ in all factors...... just a shame that Bernie E isn`t.­ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From sooty, on Mon 5 Jan 6:11PM

  10. Is this Bernie's master plan to get rid of the­ british grand prix??????
    Silverstone was fine so he­ thought we'll give it to Donnington who haven't­ got a hope in hell of updating the circuit in time no­ matter how much they spend so therefore making him­ decide to forfeit on the british grand prix because in­ his eyes, it has not got a suitable circuit....! Just a­ thought!
    Although why he chose to ignore brands hatch,­ what with it being on top of 3 major motorways within 1­ hour of three major airports and a major sea port...I­ can see why that wouldn't appeal!

    From doubletalkinjive76, on Mon 5 Jan 5:59PM

  11. No problem with Silverstone access at all, South­ Northants council and all the other parts that make up­ the highways made a superb job in the roads around­ Silverstone.

    From Craig M, on Mon 5 Jan 5:29PM

  12. I can use my helicopter.

    From BigBill, on Mon 5 Jan 5:26PM

  13. I think they're planning on making it "no­ cars" - everyone will have to arrive by lovely­ buses...

    From simon, on Mon 5 Jan 5:00PM

  14. roger h
    Not as bad as getting in and out of Silverstone

    From MGA, on Mon 5 Jan 4:59PM

  15. its not the planning that will be the problem try­ looking at the motorway,A road access,talk to the­ bikers who go there & they will tell you its a­ nightmare

    From roger h, on Mon 5 Jan 4:55PM

  16. I wonder if Donnington will be able to make sufficient­ profit to pay for all this or if Bernie will just­ charge them so much they find that it's not­ actually viable - having blown £100m?

    From simon, on Mon 5 Jan 4:52PM

  17. Can't see Donington persuading anyone to carry out­ any winter testing there.

    From , on Mon 5 Jan 4:48PM
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