The UK’s race fans should find out by the end of this year whether Donington Park has cleared the planning permission hurdle it faces as part of its campaign to be ready to stage the 2010 British Grand Prix.
Its plans (which you can view on its website) have been declared fit for purpose by planners from the local authority that will now go on to consider them.
North West Leicestershire District Council has asked for an environmental impact assessment to judge the impact of the track, pit and paddock development on air quality and noise levels in the neighbourhood.
Since it had previously announced a consultation period lasting until November, and the environmental assessment is to be expected for a development of this size, none of this is particularly striking stuff. But it does confirm that the process is on track.
Councillor John Bridges, the member of North West Leicestershire District Council’s ruling cabinet in charge of planning (he actually holds the extraordinary title of ‘Porfolio Holder for Place Shaping’), said: “The prospect of Formula One at Donington Park is something really exciting for the district as a whole.
“We will, though, be making sure that the environmental impact of proposed development at the site is properly considered.
“Ever since the announcement of Donington Park as hosts for the British Grand Prix from 2010 we have been working closely with the track owners and their planning consultants to make sure we receive the information needed for the planning application as early as possible.
“I am confident that if we continue working together we will still be able to make a planning decision on the proposals by the end of the year.”
Sounds like Cllr Bridges feels that working together will be the key to things – so let’s echo his hope that it can continue.