PRIME Minister Rishi Sunak has backed efforts to bring speedway racing back to Coventry Stadium after it was saved from the bulldozers earlier this month.
The stadium issue was raised during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday (January 31) by the MP for Rugby, Mark Pawsey.
Plans for 124 homes and a 3G football pitch, submitted by Brandon Estates, were once again dismissed by the Planning Inspector following an appeal earlier this month, who upheld Rugby Borough Council’s decision to throw out the proposals.
The Save Coventry Speedway and Stox campaign group has since said their dream of bringing racing back to the venue was ‘still alive’.
Mr Pawsey said: “The Prime Minister likes to attend live sport, and so I wonder whether he would join me in welcoming the decision of the Planning Inspector in upholding Rugby Council’s rejection of an application for development at Brandon Stadium in my constituency, to keep the doors open for it to remain a sporting venue, so that future generations will enjoy the thrills and spills of motorcycle speedway and stock cars.”
Mr Sunak responded: “I join my honourable friend in paying tribute and being proud of Britain’s rich history in the automotive and motorsport sectors.
“The stadium that he talks about is a historic motorsport venue, and whilst it’s been a shame to see it fall into disrepair, I hope the decision he refers to enables the possibility of both speedway and stock car racing to return.
“And I know my honourable friend will rightly continue to champion this cause.”
