Donington Facing Crucial Revamp Talks

Donington Park, the new home of the British F1 Grand Prix from 2010, is facing a pivotal planning meeting to review the proposals to revamp the circuit.

Donington Park inherits the F1 race from Silverstone in a 10-year agreement beginning next year, under the understanding that a raft of improvements are implemented.

The meeting with local community and government representatives from Leicestershire will review proposals for track alterations, a new pit area, a club house and temporary grandstands.

The plans must pass Thursday’s meeting of North West Leicestershire District Council’s planning committee before the circuit can begin preparations. Potential benefits and disruption to the local community will be considered at the meeting.

Approval would leave just 17 months to raise the £100m needed to finance the scheme and put it into action.

‘Thursday’s decision is the culmination of six years of hard work, and we believe that we’ve made every effort to satisfy the conditions required for a positive outcome,’ Donington owner Simon Gillett commented.

‘We understand the importance of working together with all of the groups and organisations that may be affected by this decision and ongoing dialogue with those groups remains a priority.’

Silverstone, in Northamptonshire, has been home to British Grand Prix since 1987, but Donington Park, just south of Derby, was awarded the contract for the next decade in July 2008.

The facilities promised to F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone ahead of the 2010 British Grand Prix include a substantial renovation of the circuit itself.

A new pit and paddock area is also planned, as are new race control buildings and a media centre, plus hospitality suites and new service roads.

The revamped track would include a tightening of Coppice, which becomes the final bend before the pit straight, and a redesigned first sector incorporating a new, long left-hand turn and hairpin following the fierce first Melbourne turn.

The planning application suggests development work to form and widen access tunnels would begin immediately if permission is granted, with the club house reaching completion in June 2010.