Donington Wins Planning Green Light
Donington’s bid to stage next year’s British F1 Grand Prix has been boosted after final planning permission for its redevelopment programme was approved.
After giving the £100m redevelopment the green light in January, North West Leicestershire District Council then demanded certain signed assurances.
Circuit owner Simon Gillett and landowner Tom Wheatcroft have both now signed the deal, meaning work can re-commence.
However, there is still some concern over how the scheme will be financed. Gillet’s planned debenture scheme to raise private investment was due to launch at the end of March but has failed to get off the ground.
A legal dispute between Wheatcroft and lease-holders DVLL, the council’s concerns and the BRDC’s insistence the race should return to Silverstone have also all added to Gillett’s headaches.
However, Gillet said: ‘It’s great to have cleared another hurdle and to see the hard work of the entire team at the circuit paying off.
‘There’s no denying that we still have a lot of hard work ahead but we’ll continue to remain positive and do everything that we can to deliver against the promises that we have been made.
‘The construction work is obviously extremely important, but we’re also trying hard to ensure that it doesn’t compromise the experience that our visitors to forthcoming events have.’
