Anti-racecourse campaign group vows to keep fighting until plans are ‘off the table'
PROTESTERS against plans to bring racing back to Lincoln have handed out pre-written opposition letters for people to send to the council.
Members of the West Common Community Group stood in Lincoln's High Street for hours giving the letter template to passers-by.
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The anti-racecourse campaign group in Lincoln's High Street.
They hope people sympathetic to their cause will send the letter to the City of Lincoln Council to block the Lincoln Racecourse Regeneration Company's (LRRC) bid to get a 12-month lease of West Common.
Organiser Emile Van Der Zee said: "We are doing this so everybody in Lincoln knows what is planned, not just people living in the West End.
"There is no need for them to have a lease on the common to do a feasibility survey – it is a free piece of land, they can go on and look whenever they want.
"It would obviously be better if people wrote individual letters, but I appreciate not everyone has time for that, so we have written this letter.
"People have been responding very well. Even those who like racing are concerned about the traffic implications the plans will have.
"We will keep fighting until these plans are completely off the table."
LRRC told the Echo it needs the lease to be able to conduct a full survey and see whether the plans are possible.
Robert Prior, who runs the LRRC website, said: "We have tried to address many concerns at the Commons Advisory Panel.
"I understand some people may still be concerned and we are trying to allay those fears.
"That is why we have asked for the Heads Of Terms Lease so we can get solid answers and hopefully relieve some of the fears.
"We want to see if it is possible to bring racing back to Lincoln to regenerate the city and improve the economy.
"It is only after the survey and assessments are conducted we will be able to see if the positives outweigh any negatives and decide whether to proceed with the application.
"We expect and hope when the city council sets the conditions of the Heads Of Terms Lease it is very clear and says nobody will be able to make any money by selling off the shares of LRRC Limited."
There are 100 shares in LRRC, 99 of which are unallocated.
Karen Rastall, one of the LRRC directors, holds the one subscriber share.
Debra Jacobs, 48, from near High Street, was given one of the letters.
She said: "It is good they are raising awareness of what is happening, but I'd like to know how accurate all these claims are before I send anything to the council."
17 Comments
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by Nick, Lincoln
Tuesday, August 03 2010, 5:07PM
“Some people will demonstrate over absolutely anything... sad puppies”
by Ann, Lincoln
Tuesday, August 03 2010, 12:17AM
“Since this issue has appeared a great deal has been made about the anti¿s. I believe they are trying to raise awareness of what the LRRC are up to ¿ principally to get Lincoln Council to hand over West Common for potential commercial development.
The LRRC offer Racing as the reason for their interest even though
We are in a time of economic gloom
There are 5 other racecourses within 51 miles
The British Horseracing Association is loudly debating the economic gloom and impact on smaller courses
Great Leighs course, in Essex, offers an example that went into administration within 8 months
Flos Llas in Wales is struggling with approximately 30 days racing
There is significant doubt as to whether or not the infrastructure for racing in 2010 would fit on West Common
The LRRC proposal put forward at the Commons Advisory Panel meeting in July included thoughts such as
That they can set up racing on the day and take it down in that same day ¿ an event for 300 let alone 3000 needs several days for setting up and taking down
That they want just 16 race days ¿ other courses find this economically difficult
That they will need to resolve some drainage issues ¿ how many race horse trainers and owners are going to let thoroughbreds run amongst rabbit holes
The horses that live on the Common won¿t need moving off for the Racing ¿ they would ¿run¿ from the danger - anyone whose walked the Common and seen the horses start to run knows how daft this is.
The is not a business case for this venture, they seek to take Common land from under our noses, to radically alter it for ¿just 16 days use¿.
The LRRC proposal is an insult to the people of Lincoln ¿ I am wholeheartedly against Lincoln handing over Common land for such ill informed potential commercial development.”
by Lincoln Lad, Lincoln
Monday, August 02 2010, 9:27PM
“Yes the Grandstand is an eyesore and I get fed up of seeing it like it is everytime I use that road. Hardly something to promote the city when it is in that state. The last Labour administration for the city spent the bare minimum on the place when they were in control. The current Tory / Lib Dem administration has not got the money to spend on this to bring it up to scratch, if it is to be used for horse racing or not.
Yes there is provision for horse racing on the west common in "The Act" so if it is in an "official governemt act" then what can stop them after they have got a business plan / studies etc. Will the anti's / local ward councillors spend £100,000.00 plus wanting to change the act?
What if they want to "try and use" the current facilities that are there? and who said and where does it say they are going to build a modern racecourse / more buildings / develop the land. Just scare mongering by the anti's me thinks.
Horse Racing was on here before and I would not be bothered if it came back. This is a chance of investment at some point along the way, but people don't want it? Hotels and b&bs / shops in the west end extra business in these economic times.”
by Jas, Lincoln
Monday, August 02 2010, 2:22PM
“Steve:
It is believed that City Council has no intentions in giving the Grandstand a lick of paint. This has been going on for sometime. They claim to have no money in the pot yet were willing to spend £100k to change the Commons Act of Parliament in the pretence of a change of use for the Grandstand. The cheapest quote to repaint inside and outside of the building is about £30k to £35k to include some remedial work on the fabric.
Instead, City Council is waiting for the Executive Meeting on 16th August to make a decision about horse racing for the West Common. This will be part of their solution concerning the Grandstand if the racecourse is re-established - their way out of doing nothing!”
by Steve, Lincoln Edge
Monday, August 02 2010, 1:46PM
“Whatever happens something should be done to refurbish the grandstand. It is an eyesore and hardly a good advert for Lincoln.”
by John, Lincolnshire
Monday, August 02 2010, 1:29PM
“Notice that the Commons Act allows 4 extra days per race sessions to deny public access to the West Common.
I wish to know what will the LRRC do with the 100 horse boxes for the new stables to be built as they claim that they will retain the old stables already there? Will they use the golf course for this purpose? Or will it be park and ride somewhere else for the horses? Think about this!”
by Peter, Lincolnshire
Monday, August 02 2010, 1:21PM
“Horse racing on the West Common will destroy the natural habitat, ridge and furrow, a lot of trees, with the race track biting deep into the cricket field and the former RFC officers mess(last of one of its kind in the UK) being used for changing facilities, having to be demolished. Assess roads to the race track and tarmac peri track will be needed for health and safety reasons, so for the LRRC to say that they want a rebuild of the racecourse to what it was, is misleading.
Highways at County Hall have mentioned about Yarborough Road and Long Leys Road being the relief roads when Saxilby Road and Carholme Road are closed for horse racing. Well, one can reliquished what the relief roads will be like, together with the city centre of Lincoln.
As suggested, please concentrate on the racecourse at the Lincolnshire Showground and nearby Market Rasen.
For Lincoln has changed dramatically since the closure of The Carholme. Housing has been built all over the West End with more housing coming later on the Carholme Road. Who can trust City Hall on these issues and what happens next? They have failed so far!”
by commoner, Lincoln
Monday, August 02 2010, 1:00PM
“FAO Reading the commons act-
May I suggest that you re-read the commons act, in conjuction with the relevant plans then take a look at the race course proposal document. It's simply not possible to build a modern racecourse on our common within the bounds of the 1985 act. End of.”
by Ben, Lincoln
Monday, August 02 2010, 10:53AM
“Right, that's it, I've decided to declare my support of the campaign against the racecourse. I have decided this because: a) I'm having quite a stressful morning at work and b) This is a Tory initiative and I like Tory initiatives even less than I enjoy stressful mornings at work.
Support declared.”
by Jim, ...
Monday, August 02 2010, 10:41AM
“I live in the West End and am intrigued by the extent the 3 labour councillors are supporting the 'anti' campaign.
Seems to me that this is being used as a political tool.
Both sides are creating a lot of bad feeling just for the sake of it.
If any party looked into the designation and downgrading/upgrading of roads such as the A57 they will realise this will never happen. To provide an alternative road of the correct width, complete with lighting, drainage, pavements etc., to a sufficient standard that can carry the capacity the A57 does on any day, would be a prohibitive cost. A budget would be needed that neither the county council roads dept or a private developer could justify.
It's nonsense, it will never happen.”