Crump99

If that's the case then I think that they decided some while ago to go that route if necessary? The September AEPG position was reported as: " Sale of the land is expected to be approved by Spring 2024, again subject to planning approval." - one assumes that that was based on that March timeline? 5 weeks later that had changed to: "This includes the area of land the grandstand occupies and as the ownership of the land is predicted to change sometime in 2024, there is no ability to commit to a 2024 Speedway Season."

And reminds one of 23/00400/OUT Representation from Consultee (Web) Open Space Management 22/09/2023 which seemed to suggest a similar outcome and use of existing facilities? (made the ET didn't it although I think that you questioned the reporting). Wish that I'd have saved that original pdf. I didn't expect it to be removed and changed due to it not seemingly fitting the agenda. It also said: " Further to significant Pre App dialogue with the Applicant PCC Open Space Management are disappointed with the current submission of the 2 somewhat underwhelming Applications" Funnily enough that submission went AWOL and returned on 13/10/23 in a much changed and sanitised version!

Yup good suggestion. Time has moved on significantly since the planning applications were posted by AEPG/PCC in 2023. The speedway fraternity was understandably initially up in arms and posted its planning portal objections to this unwanted development. Everyone can still post a further objection with additional comments (probably best to say as such to differentiate from just being viewed as a single source duplicate) now that AEPG's mercenary nature, selling strategy and reasoning has been laid bare, as well as their malicious damage inflicted on Peterborough Speedway and an important part of Peterborough's Culture, Leisure and Tourism industry for 2024 and beyond. And just a reminder:

No idea what Chapman is or isn't doing or how his mind works but when he says: "would be very happy to open talks over the ownership at an appropriate time." - I'd like to know his definition of the appropriate time? This was 31st Oct 2023: " The Peterborough Telegraph understands talks between a six-man consortium committed to saving speedway in Peterborough and Peterborough Panthers owner Keith Chapman are ongoing, but progress has been slow." - slow without a hidden agenda, allegedly The focus has to be the EoES, the local plan and pressure on PCC/AEPG - talk of alternatives just chips away at another element of LP30 and, as has been noted by PCC Policy, AEPG have tried to engineer avoiding responsibility under LP30 : LP30 – Culture Leisure, Tourism and Community Facilities - Policy LP36 specifically makes reference to the requirements of Policy LP30 and the loss of existing cultural, leisure, tourism and community facilities. The applicant will need to demonstrate that the proposals meet the requirements of points k-m, in particular with regard to the speedway track. The applications do propose to make a good, appropriate, level of sport and leisure uses. Normally, the application would not be considered to meet points k-m as they stand, as they do not provide a replacement facility for speedway use, and the speedway track was clearly fit for purpose. This has been made more complex by the Speedway club having been served notice and asked to vacate the site and remove their safety and lighting infrastructure, therefore no longer meeting point k and in no longer being fit for purpose requiring the meeting of point l and m. It is noted that Sport England have provided comments in response to the application. There will be no local resolution if PCC buckle and AEPG win.

And we nearly dropped off the page there. Can't be having that. Need to keep the struggling momentum/interest going. Although it's unlikely, Chapman might do the right thing and offload the club to those actually fighting for its survival?

It's grim but it's not gone until they get planning approved. Putting that unnecessary vandalism right under the right conditions (hopefully PCC make AEPG pay as part of any agreement) has got to be preferable to starting afresh elsewhere. With AEPG, their friends and family dumping support comments on the PCC planning portal we could do with anyone who hasn't objected, or who knows someone who hasn't, objecting to both planning applications. Doesn't have to be anything detailed, just read some of the others submissions (click Documents and View associated documents, and note that they only show address & no other detail) and write a sentence or two. It's just a numbers game and there are plenty of detailed objections already on there: Here are the two links that will take you straight to the two planning applications that have been submitted for developing the Peterborough Showground to make comments and/or objections. You can comment on both applications. https://planpa.peterborough.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=makeComment&keyVal=RSOMJ0MLIWV00 https://planpa.peterborough.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=makeComment&keyVal=RSXWVDML04U00

Without knowing the detail of what really went wrong, I say that his only mistake was not paying closer attention to the history of who he was dealing with and not getting a contract in writing and signed first before playing the social media game.

Simple equation isn't it!

It depends what the dream and objective is? The reality is that nothing is off the table until planning is approved, or not, and explained/justified in terms of the local plan. I wouldn't throw in the towel quite yet. Getting speedway folk enthused and interested has always been like pulling teeth so no doubt the majority share your view, especially given that there in no local speedway coverage now or no outward communications from the club or alleged club saving consortium and its spokesman. Tomalin is just one of many in the bigger picture although he was/is a big sponsor who would be needed going forward. Chapman's continued ownership is a major problem but if AEPG think, for whatever reason, that he belongs to them then good luck with that! He'll do whatever is best for him and his pension fund irrespective of what they think.

I think that any outcome or timeline is possible, so until AEPG make their next planning move then it's difficult to know where we are or the direction of travel. PCC have to follow the local plan and publically justify their decisions after plenty of publicity and opposition to the planning proposals. It's not a standard nod through as it would normally be. Although Chapman is getting all of the flak, and quite rightly so since his 2022 speech, I think that anyone in the "inner sanctum" (copyright Rodders) over the last 3 years has questions to answer. What did the supporters club do in 2023? They didn't do anything, played along to Chapman's agenda, came to the party too late and have all but given up the fight, not that it ever really started for them. Yes it looks bad but don't give up yet! Where's your invisible mate anyway? Never has anyone done so little but had so much alleged impact!

And play close attention to all relevant aspects within the local plan as well as the submissions by major players on the PCC planning portal. It's funny that AEPG say that they and the EEAS have no future obligation to support Peterborough Speedway financially, however, they are keen to say LP36 & 30 doesn't specifically mention speedway. As the only permanent/annual regular sporting and leisure user for 49 years when the local plan was adopted, what else does LP30 allude to? Also by wrecking the speedway infrastructure & stand they are trying to engineer a position where LP30 doesn't apply, as noted by PCC Policy : LP30 – Culture Leisure, Tourism and Community Facilities Policy LP36 specifically makes reference to the requirements of Policy LP30 and the loss of existing cultural, leisure, tourism and community facilities: The applicant will need to demonstrate that the proposals meet the requirements of points k-m, in particular with regard to the speedway track. The applications do propose to make a good, appropriate, level of sport and leisure uses. Normally, the application would not be considered to meet points k-m as they stand, as they do not provide a replacement facility for speedway use, and the speedway track was clearly fit for purpose. This has been made more complex by the Speedway club having been served notice and asked to vacate the site and remove their safety and lighting infrastructure, therefore no longer meeting point k and in no longer being fit for purpose requiring the meeting of point l and m. It is noted that Sport England have provided comments in response to the application.

Perhaps they could do a follow up piece listing those efforts so that we can all enjoy the efforts that Chapman made behind the scenes? I saw bugger all out in the open in public!

Starting Bloody hell, been in a box for 6 months? There's a battle going on to ensure that that isn't a permanent situation. Focus on that rather than the direction Butterfield and Chapman tried to engineer!

"decommissioning" interesting wording for actions that were unnecessary and IMHO done to break the will of any remaining "passionate Panthers supporters" (Butterfield's label), and to try to convince PCC that AEPG have engineered a situation where a perfect working speedway operation was handed over to them but within a few months they've wrecked it to, in their mind, meet the first part of LP30 item k. I'm sure that their timetable had the stand remaining until 2026 at least so what's the point of tinkering? Answers on a postcard. They said - A spokesperson for AEPG, which is the company chosen by the venue owners, the East of England Agricultural Society, to sell the land, said: “As part of the sale, the land needs to be clear of commercial operations or agreements. By throwing Peterborough Speedway out for 2024 they'd met that objective so any of their other actions have just been malicious.

Assume that's MT? He doesn't have to, that's the point. If PCC do their job then any planning approval will only be granted when AEPG meet LP36 & LP30 of the Peterborough Local Plan. AEPG are doing their best get out of any responsibility within the local plan to their destruction of an important part of Peterborough's culture and history. An e-mail I received Aug 2023 from the EEAS suggests that AEPG don't really know whether to stick or twist on this? "AEPG may have had discussions with the current speedway operators as well as the local authority regarding the possibility of relocating to another site" Peterborough Speedway would have a much better chance of returning to the track sooner rather than later if someone interested in that objective was the owner. Whether any of those unsubstantiated claims against Chapman ever get answered or clarified I no longer care, but he does himself no favours by continuing hold on to the licence of a club that he has no interest in. A good businessman can negotiate a sensible deal (what is he selling now anyway?) with future eventualities clauses in if the new owners are successful. The fact that he can't or will not do that only feeds the rumour mill.

Why?

Eventually through gritted teeth when it was questioned why he wasn't selling or making any attempt to take part in the campaign to save the club. Knowing that he had no interest in taking the club past 2023, wouldn't it have been better to hand the club over to those interested in 2024 and beyond? There were allegedly offers although apparently not in his preferred medium of written. If his concern was future eventualities (new track or EoES extension for instance; one assumes that's why he's clinging on to the licence) then it isn't too difficult to write that in to a contract. Bratley and Chapman are in completely different negotiating positions.

Seen it said a few times now: Mick knows how to play the game (you'll have to put your own interpretation on that as I'll say no more!)

I can't really get angry at Tomalin because I'm not sure that he exists. However, what Chapman actually said on the centre green in 2022 was: "I'd love to stay at the EoES, it's the place to be. That's not going to happen we know. I do believe that there is a few more years here and that will give us time to build a new base and structure for Peterborough Speedway." Chapman's tune changed for 2023 and he did bugger all outwardly about a new base or structure, just sung the AEPG tune all of the way through and gave them their PR coup at the end of 2023 and allegedly made more than a few quid at the same time (nothing to do with brown envelopes before anyone gets excited). The Tomalin deal reportedly broke down due to longevity of the club which was Chapman's newly found 2023 position. If Tomalin had started negotiations based on Chapman's alleged 2022 position then that would possibly have led to a deal? That was the situation that we were dealing with and what actually went on is one of those loose ends as Columbo would say. Tomalin's only mistake was not getting everything signed and sealed before playing the social media game. Perhaps he's learned if he's still around?

You'll be telling me next that you don't believe this? - Keith Chapman said“There are no hidden agendas to what has gone on over the past 18 months"

Needed some new bulbs but provided a seat in the dry, close to the action with good views of choice and a decent sound system. Not quite sure how you come to that conclusion.

Add to that that they have watched Buster Chapman seemingly take one of their Premier clubs down without a fight while profiting from that club's demise, in terms of infrastructure and riders for his other lot. I make no comment on him & AEPG! Added to that, he's allowed to hang on to the licence with no interest in the Peterborough Speedway survival fight. He seems happy to run down the clock to finish Panthers and the BSPL appear happy that he does that as a member of their flock? It is indeed hard to take them seriously!

Well we're told that the aim is to get Panthers back on track in 2025? The first shots of 2024 fight have already been fired. The supporters, the consortium and sponsors need to stay strong, keep interested and stick with it despite disgracefully there being no EoES track action during the 2024 season. The 2023 PL thread is no longer appropriate to keep Panthers plight on the front foot & I'm sure that someone would object to this thread being housed in that section AEPG on manoeuvres: AEPG facebook 31/12/23 - Thank you to all our followers and supporters in 2023 - a big year ahead in 2024 for us and Peterborough. - Lots of things to share in January which will be exciting for a large number of people in the city. - - we will update you soon. Sport England knocking back AEPG's weak response to their objection to what Butterfield & Co are doing to Peterborough Speedway: 23/00412/OUT Representation from Consultee (Web) Sport England 08/01/2024 Speedway As set out previously, Sport England does not wish to make detailed comments on this point, and have referred the Council to the governing body, the Speedway Control Bureau, who we understand have raised objection to the application. Whilst we note the content of the supporting statement in relation to the loss of speedway venue, this does not seem to appropriately address the relevant planning policies in the Local Plan, particularly LP36 and the guidance in the NPPF in respect of the loss of the facility. This is because no information is provided in respect of replacement facilities in line with policy LP36 of the Local Plan. For information, the previous reference to para 99 of the NPPF should now read Para 103 following the updated publication in December 2023. As such, our previous comments remain valid in respect of the loss of the facility for speedway. Many thanks, Sport England Principal Planning Manager

There's been a boost in the battle to save speedway in Peterborough The fight to keep speedway in Peterborough has received a major boost – from a planning decision to stop developers building on Coventry Stadium. https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/sport/other-sport/theres-been-a-boost-in-the-battle-to-save-speedway-in-peterborough-4488599

Just a touch. Bratters and co are well aware of the challenges they face both now and in the future. They have to remain positive and see what happens when AEPG play their next card. They do appear to hold the aces and Chapman allowed the fat lady to fully test her vocal chords in 2023 and is still clinging on in 2024 to assist both her and AEPG but she has yet to burst in to song!