Circuit of Wales

Circuit of Wales
Location Ebbw Vale, Blaenau Gwent, Wales
Time zone GMT
Coordinates 51°48′17″N 3°14′35″W / 51.80473°N 3.24319°W / 51.80473; -3.24319Coordinates: 51°48′17″N 3°14′35″W / 51.80473°N 3.24319°W / 51.80473; -3.24319
Full Course
Surface asphalt
Length 3.50 mi (5.63 km)
Turns 21

Circuit of Wales (Welsh: Cylchffordd Cymru) is a proposed motor racing circuit and technology park development project in Blaenau Gwent, Wales, with an original planned opening in 2016.[1] An intended joint venture to be funded by private investors but backed by the Welsh Government, the site is adjacent to the A465 road on the outskirts of the town of Ebbw Vale, 18 miles (29 km) north-west of the city of Newport, and 25 miles (40 km) north of the city of Cardiff. It is intended to be overseen by Heads of the Valleys Development Company,[2] which BBC News reported in April 2016 was intending to continue negotiations with intended financial backers Aviva and the Welsh Government.[3]

The circuit is being designed to FIA and FIM standards with the aim of hosting events such as the MotoGP,[4][5] Superbike World Championship, Motocross World Championship, British GT Championship, British Touring Car Championship and the World Touring Car Championship.[6]

In March 2017, Ken Skates, a Welsh politician and Economy Secretary issued a statement that detailed reports had been requested and a decision concerning £425M public funding for the race track would be available by mid-May.[7]

In June 2017 a proposed taxpayer-funded guarantee of £210million was rejected by the Welsh Government on the grounds that the financial risk was too great.

In September 2018, an application to extend the planning permission was submitted to the local council Blaenau Gwent.

Proposal history

The project was unveiled towards the end of 2011.[8] After submitting plans to Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council,[9] the circuit received unanimous approval[1] of its outline planning and was given the go ahead to begin development in early July 2013, amidst opposition from groups including Gwent Wildlife Trust, Brecon Beacons National Park, Natural Resources Wales and the Association of Motor Racing Circuit Owners.[10] However, by the end of July, the Welsh Government put the plans on hold whilst it reviewed the planning application.[11][12]

The Welsh Government indicated in August 2013 that the local council would take decisions concerning the project.[13] It was later confirmed by the developers that construction was due to start around Christmas 2013 with completion by 2015/16.[14]

In 2014 the developers asked the Welsh and UK governments to commit up to £50m towards the scheme.[15] While the developers believe that 6,000 jobs would be created, and the scheme has strong local support, there are wider objections on environmental grounds for the developers to address.[16]

In July 2014, the then Environment Minister Alun Davies was found by an investigation of the Permanent Secretary of the Welsh Government to have broken the Ministerial Code through lobbying Natural Resources Wales in favour of the racetrack - due to be built in his constituency of Blaenau Gwent[17] - leaving his political career "on the edge of a cliff".[18] He was sacked the following week, with the senior civil servant writing to the First Minister referring to "the week we have all just endured".[19]

In November 2014, controversy surfaced after allegations that the Welsh Government had interfered with due process on planning, particularly through gaining privileged information from the Planning Inspectorate.[20]

On 17 November 2015 it was reported that the Welsh government had given final approval to deregister the common land on which the circuit is to be built.[21][22] However the development's congestion at peak times (race days) obstructing the sole main access to areas of Wales to the west (Heads of Valleys route A465) and near towns is yet to be made clear and resolved.

In April 2016, departing Welsh Economy Minister Edwina Hart confirmed that the Welsh Government could not provide the required 100% guarantee to back construction of the circuit. Insurance company Aviva had stated that it could not guarantee even 20% of the £357M package, and hence the Welsh Government had been forced to state its position.[3] Hart said there was a "significant question around the viability of the project" and hence was an "unacceptable risk" to the government underwriting the entire project, and therefore she had "reluctantly come to the conclusion" not to proceed with the guarantee after legal advice. Michael Carrick, CEO of Heads of The Valleys Development Company, said negotiations with the Welsh Government and Aviva would continue.[3]

In June 2017 a proposed taxpayer-funded guarantee of £210million was rejected by the Welsh Government on the grounds that the financial risk was too great. Instead, ministers announced that £100million would be spent on an automotive business park.[23] Michael Carrick responded by saying that they were keen to continue with the project, understand the reasons it was not supported, and address them.[24]

British motorcycle Grand Prix

In August 2014, after the circuit had signed a contract with motorcycle Grand Prix organisers Dorna to host the events from 2015–2019 (with a possible extension to 2024), circuit official Chris Herring[25] confirmed that the facility would not be ready for the 2015 event and an alternative venue at Donington Park, England was chosen by early September.[4] In February 2015 Donington Park announced that they would not be able to host the 2015 British MotoGP due to not having received payment by Circuit of Wales backers.[26] It was subsequently decided that Silverstone would host the event for 2015 and 2016.[27]

In August 2017, Circuit of Wales lost the rights to the MotoGP after Dorna ended its relationship with the circuit, and the event was again hosted by Silverstone Circuit in late August, as had been previously scheduled.[28][29] In early November 2017, Silverstone announced a three-year deal to host the races in 2018, 2019 and 2020.[30]

References

  1. 1 2 Liam Moffett (2013-07-10). "Councillors grant planning approval to £280m Circuit of Wales racetrack". Wales Online. Retrieved 2014-02-06.
  2. ↑ Companies House (UK Government website) Retrieved 26 August 2017
  3. 1 2 3 Minister 'cannot underwrite £357m Circuit of Wales track' BBC News Wales, 6 April 2016, Retrieved 8 April 2016
  4. 1 2 Donington Park to host 2015 British Motorcycle Grand Prix motogp.com 2 September 2014. Retrieved 2014-09-06
  5. ↑ "Circuit of Wales gets go ahead". Top Gear. 2013-07-10. Retrieved 2014-02-06.
  6. ↑ "Welcome to the Circuit of Wales". Circuit of Wales. 2013-12-05. Retrieved 2014-02-06.
  7. ↑ Circuit of Wales: Motor track decision expected mid-May, BBC News, Wales Politics 29 March 2017. Retrieved 30 March 2017
  8. ↑ Nick Servini (2011-11-21). "Ebbw Vale £200m racing circuit 'could host MotoGP'". BBC News. Retrieved 2014-02-06.
  9. ↑ "Planning documents". Circuit of Wales. Retrieved 2014-02-06.
  10. ↑ "Circuit of Wales race track given go ahead at Ebbw Vale". BBC News. 2013-07-10. Retrieved 2014-02-06.
  11. ↑ "£280m Circuit of Wales plan put on hold by Welsh government". BBC News. 2013-07-31. Retrieved 2014-02-06.
  12. ↑ "Circuit of Wales 'put on hold' | MotoGP News | Jul 2013". Crash.Net. 2013-07-31. Retrieved 2014-02-06.
  13. ↑ "Circuit of Wales, Ebbw Vale, in planning decision boost". BBC News. 2013-08-23. Retrieved 2014-02-06.
  14. ↑ "Circuit of Wales, Ebbw Vale: Work to start on £280m race circuit". BBC News. 2013-09-30. Retrieved 2014-02-06.
  15. ↑ "£280m Circuit of Wales race track makes cash request". BBC. 11 March 2014. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  16. ↑ "Circuit of Wales motorsports complex plan drives local controversy". The Guardian. 25 May 2014. Retrieved 2014-07-01.
  17. ↑ Alun Davies breached code by lobbying but will not be sacked BBC News 1 July 2014. Retrieved 2014-12-12
  18. ↑ Carwyn Jones: Alun Davies was 'on edge of a cliff'. BBC News 9 July 2014. Retrieved 2014-12-12
  19. ↑ Alun Davies sacking: In full - the emails that raised concerns walesonline.co.uk 8 July 2014. Retrieved 2014-12-12
  20. ↑ Circuit of Wales planning process 'interfered with' by ministers, says Friends of Earth Cymru and Plaid walesonline.co.uk 26 November 2014. Retrieved 2014-12-11
  21. ↑ "£325m Circuit of Wales plans in Ebbw Vale pass 'vital' hurdle". BBC. 17 November 2015. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  22. ↑ "Final approval given for £315m Circuit of Wales project in Blaenau Gwent". Wales Online. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
  23. ↑ "Circuit of Wales cash plea refused by Welsh ministers". BBC News. 27 June 2017. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
  24. ↑ "Circuit of Wales: Plea not to give up on race track plan". BBC News. 3 July 2017. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  25. ↑ Who are the people behind the Circuit of Wales? Archived 2014-09-06 at the Wayback Machine. circuitofwales.com Retrieved 2014-09-06
  26. ↑ "Circuit of Wales Construction Confirmed Despite British MotoGP Problems". OBAS Group. 11 Feb 2014.
  27. ↑ "Silverstone reaches agreement with Circuit of Wales to host MotoGP in 2015 and 2016". Northampton Chronicle. 11 February 2015. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  28. ↑ "Circuit of Wales loses rights to hold MotoGP in Ebbw Vale". BBC News. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  29. ↑ "Silverstone to keep MotoGP in 2017, with option for 2018". Motorsport.com. Motorsport.com. 4 September 2016. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
  30. ↑ Silverstone keeps British MotoGP after agreeing three-year deal, Autosport, 11 November 2017. Retrieved 12 November 2017

See also

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