“Saw article in Racing Post recently and comments following.
Racing folk think that it is a non starter.
http://www.racingpost.com/news/bloodsto ...racingnews/
see also pamphlet by City Council about the West Common.
http://fsd.lincolnshire.gov.uk/upload/p ...leaflet.pdf
Interesting!”

“1) Ecology ¿ the common is recognised for its ecological and historical importance in a council leaflet part funded by English Heritage printed March 2010.

2) Seizure of public land for private speculation, is it true that this has happened once already to common land in Lincoln ¿. ?

3) Power of nostalgia, the LRRC are playing to the rose coloured memories of what racing was to a city that is a very different place to the place it is now.

4) Local support, the LRRC are claiming a lot of support from many groups in and around Lincoln in regard to bringing racing to ¿Carholme Racecourse¿ ¿ what most in and around Lincoln call the West Common. This support is NOT as unanimous as suggested ¿ has anyone seen a leaflet asking for their views?

5) Infrastructure required for Racing ¿ course requirements ¿ the whole of the common to the north of Carholme road - post & rail around the track, inner metalled track, 1 mile straight (races used to start the other side of the ringroad¿ does the proposal include and underpass for the horses to race through?) starting gates, finishing post, parade ring, winners enclosure, members enclosure, weighing room, committee rooms, stable block(s), parking for horse vehicles, official safety vehicles etc. Where is this going to be shoehorned into? That¿s before you get to that required for visitors ¿ transport, parking, accommodation, food outlets, toilets ¿. .

6) Financially viable ¿ is it really possible to make back £12million over 16 days? Or 32? or even 64? Please convince us! Prove to us that this plan is not purely a way of bringing development to one of the most beautiful green spaces in Lincoln.

If racing has a future in Lincoln I amongst others would welcome it BUT not at the cost of West Common for the people of Lincoln.”

“I checked with the Council this morning. The meeting of the Commons advisory Committee, in committee rooms 1,2 and 3, at 6pm, on 14th July, can hold about 60 members of the public, so if like me you have grave reservations about this scheme, although you won't able to have a voice at the meeting, please come along. It would be good to have people present in numbers at the meeting, to show that there is real public concern over this ill conceived plan. Also, although we can't speak at the meeting there is nothing to stop people (from either side of the debate) from contacting the members of the commons advisory group, prior to the meeting, to politely express their feelings.”

“I checked with the Council this morning. The meeting of the Commons advisory Committee, in committee rooms 1,2 and 3, at 6pm, on the 14th, can hold about 60 members of the public, so if like me you have grave reservations about this scheme, although you won't able to have a voice at the meeting, please come along. It would be good to have people present in numbers at the meeting, to show that there is real public concern over this ill conceived plan. Also, although we can't speak at the meeting there is nothing to stop people from contacting the members of the commons advisory group prior to the meeting, to politely express their feelings.”

“An extraordinary meeting of the Commons Advisory Panel has been called for Wed. 14th July at 6pm. - City Hall. If you are concerned about our common get yourself there - you wont be able to speak though, just listen and grind your teeth.”

“The number of nodding donkeys in close proximity is quite surprising HOWEVER this discussion is linked to an article about Racing and the proposed use of West Common.

Too many people are thinking this just won't happen, although this proposal is out there - the LRRC went public - against the council¿s wishes - because 'the documents had not been read'. They have been planning this for several years, their key document goes to over 50 pages.
The Lincoln Commons Advisory Panel is due to meet in July and report to a meeting in August, although an extraordinary meeting may be called in response to this proposal.

We need a forum for serious thought and discussion in regard to this issue! Lets identify the issues and start talking about them.”

“Nodding Donkey how about when the oil has gone make the people who need social housing race against those on Incapacity Benefit and the winner gets their chosen luxury .God M r C wanted feed back on cost cutting ,i think HE will like me !”

“Please, please, let me start drilling on the West Common. Who wants now Horse Racing when it comes down to selling off the family silver. City Council has done this in the past. Was not Holmes Common part of common land in Lincoln? Lincoln University now stands on it!
Perhaps BP might make an offer but then forget that for the company could have a big blow out anytime using the West Common.
But hey, wait a minute! Once the oil has gone, the West Common could be used for development such as affordable housing, long overdue, plus a business park. By then, we should have park and ride and a direct rail link to London.
But I have seen pigs flying over RAF Waddington thought to be UFOs. Who also has seen the cow flying over the moon? Tourists and visitors would flock to Lincoln to see these manifestations. But then, I did drink away my winnings won on the gee gees at York. I am still suffering from delusions under the influence of drink!”

“I hear that someone after digging up a rare plant on the West Common has struck oil. So instead of having horse racing, City Council are planning to have noddy donkeys. But BP have offered councillors a bribe to transfer assets into their coffers to pay for their big mistake off the coast of America.
Not surprise if either the Tories or Labour want a slice of the profits too to cover up their mistakes in putting Lincoln last in their quest past and present to sell off the common for a quick buck.
But then, that's politics for you when people come last over party politcal governance!”

“I think this could be a great oppotunity for bringing back racing to Lincoln . What could happen is make the old age pensioner who are about to loose their free swimming race against the poor students who can't afford their fees and the winner could get sponsorship for their chosen luxury.”