Retrospective planning application to replace speedway track at Rye House with football pitches withdrawn
It is expected that a further application to turn the site into a multi-sports hub will be submitted.
Pictured above, work underway to take up the track at Rye House (Credit: Steven Ribbons)
A retrospective planning application for the removal of the speedway track at Rye House in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire to form grassed football pitches has been withdrawn.
A request to withdraw the current application was submitted last Friday (January 29), and withdrawn officially on Monday (February 1).
The withdrawal letter, submitted to East Herts District Council, suggests that a further application to turn the site into a multi-sports hub will be submitted.
The letter, available to view on the district council’s planning portal, reads: “We have come to a decision whereby we feel it would be best that the current application that you have before you is withdrawn.
“It is clear that the original submitted documentation was insufficient to support the application, and its scale was not clearly reflected in that initial submission.”
A meeting with the council is proposed “to outline the proposal going forward whereby an application to encompass a proposed re-development of the site to form a multi-sports hub development can be submitted to the planning authority”.
The letter adds: “We are at the beginning of that process and hope to move forward as quickly as is practically possible, and hope that you agree with us that this will produce a far more informative and detailed application.
“This will serve to eradicate any doubt as to what the applicant is hoping to achieve and will ultimately produce a development which will benefit the great community and the district as a whole.”
Speedway fans were left devastated in December when work began to take up the track, cementing fears that the sport would not be returning to Hoddesdon.
During World War II it gained a reputation for being one of the best training grounds for would-be riders and it even saw world champions ride there.
Over the years the fans have created a solid community and the track was used for racing up until 2018, before the club had to crash out of the season halfway through due to financial reasons.
To view the planning documents search 3/20/2563/FUL.
See the latest news, information, conversations and much more, all tailored to your neighbourhood, in your InYourArea live feed