CONTROVERSIAL plans to build almost 200 houses on the site

of a former sports stadium look set to get the go-ahead from

councillors, despite strong opposition.

Campaign group Save Our Speedway had hoped to see the Long

Eaton stadium replaced following its closure in 1997.

But the group conceded defeat after developer Stolkin

Properties had its application for a £6m stadium rejected by

the council in March last year.

Although the council gave its official backing to the use of

the site as a sports venue in 1998, the application was

rejected because of concerns about the noise level and a lack

of parking for visitors.

Now the developer has officially applied to Erewash Borough

Council for permission to build 197 properties on the site.

Council officers have recommended the latest application be

approved when it is considered by the authority tomorrow.

Save Our Speedway spokesman and former commercial manager of

the stadium, John Bailey said the group did not support having

houses on the site and would continue to campaign for a

stadium.

He said: “Our group still has a lot of support – there can

be more than 100 people at our meetings if we have a guest

speaker.

“It is ridiculous that the plan for the stadium was turned

down on the ground that it would have been too noisy and there

would have been too much traffic.

“This new housing development will see at least 200 cars

going in and out of the site all day long and it is going to be

grid-locked.”

The old stadium closed in December 1997, after more than 70

years of speedway and greyhound racing, when its owner,

Northern Sports, went into liquidation.

Since then the overgrown site, which is surrounded by

housing, has suffered repeated arson attacks and travellers

have illegally parked their vehicles there.

In 2006 it was bought by Essex-based Stolkin Properties.

If the council approves the developer's plans, it will do so

on the condition there is a field and play equipment provided

for children at Grange Primary School.

Peter Wrathall, a semi-professional speedway driver, for

Long Eaton, between 1963 and 1971, described the old stadium as

a wonderful venue.

The 68-year-old, of Longmoor Lane, Breaston, said: “The

stadium was the thing that put Long Eaton on the map

internationally.

“It is very, very sad the plan for a new stadium was turned

down.”

No-one from Stolkin Properties was available for

comment.