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As Posted on Facebook Important news from Rye House. We, the Rye house action group have received a copy of a DEMOLITION ORDER sent by East Herts Council to Carter and Bailey Limited for their unlawful construction of the extension to the old grandstand. plus others (copy below) This is a significant step forward to the fight to return the Rockets to the stadium. Now, I am not saying that this is the beginning of the end, but it might be the end of the beginning!!! We now await the next step by Messer's Carter and Bailey. IMPORTANT - THIS COMMUNICATION AFFECTS YOUR PROPERTY TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990 (AS AMENDED BY THE PLANNING AND COMPENSATION ACT 1991) (‘the Act’) ENFORCEMENT NOTICE - E/20/0423/ENF ISSUED BY: East Herts District Council 1. THIS NOTICE is issued by the Council because it appears to them that there has been a breach of planning control, within paragraph (a) of section 171A(1) of the above Act, at the land described below. They consider that it is expedient to issue this notice, having regard to the provisions of the development plan and to other material planning considerations. The Annex at the end of the notice and the enclosures to which it refers contain important additional information. 2. THE LAND TO WHICH THE NOTICE RELATES Rye House Stadium, Rye Road, Hoddesdon, Ware, Hertfordshire. EN11 0EH 3. THE MATTERS WHICH APPEAR TO CONSTITUTE THE BREACH OF PLANNING CONTROL Without planning permission, the formation of hardstanding, the erection of fencing, the extension of the existing substation building. The conversion of the open sided grandstand to form a fully enclosed gymnastic centre with the addition of a side extension and platform structure to the south east elevation. Without planning permission, the material change of use land for commercial car storage and the storage of building materials, welfare units, trailers, shipping containers, HGVs and trailers. 4. REASONS FOR ISSUING THIS NOTICE It appears to the Council that the formation of hardstanding, the erection of fencing, the extension of the existing substation building and the conversion of the open sided grandstand to form a fully enclosed gymnastic centre with the addition of a side extension and platform structure to the south east elevation has occurred within the last 4 years. It appears to the Council that the material change of use of land for car storage and for the storage of container units, welfare units, and building materials has occurred within the past 10 years. The land is located on the south-eastern side of Rye Road and is bordered by the River Lee to the south-west, Rye Park Homes to the north-east, and Rye House Kart Raceway to the south-east which is accessed through the land. The land is located within the Metropolitan Green Belt, within the Lee Valley Regional Park, and most of the site falls within flood zone 3, with the remaining small elements in flood zone 2. The site is currently being operated as a site for mix sports and recreation with there being 3 active and operational businesses on the site: Cre8 gym, Hertfordshire Gymnastics Club, life change fitness. There are also a number of supporting buildings in current use including a security office and substation building. There are extensive areas of hardstanding for vehicle parking and tall fencing in a security style throughout the site. The hard standings include consist of areas adjacent to each of the buildings on the land alongside an area of carparking to the entrance of the site. It is not considered that any permitted development rights do exist for the surfaces. The erection of 2.4 metre high security fencing is considered harsh and to have a detrimental impact on the openness of the site . Furthermore, in addition to the built form on site, the fencing creates further bulk and mass on the site which did not previously exist and which by its very nature would result in harm to the openness of the Green Belt, in addition to the harm from there being inappropriate development. The refusal of planning permission 3/21/1522/FUL at reason 3 states: The layout and appearance of the hardstanding is considered unacceptable. This is due to the high proportion of hardstanding which covers much of the site, the style, height and level of fencing proposed, and the lack of any meaningful soft landscaping. The combination of these results in a stark and hostile appearance to the site to the detriment of the character and appearance of the site and surrounding street scenes. This falls contrary to policies DES2, DES3 and DES4 of the East Herts District Plan (2018), and the aims and objectives of the National Planning Policy Framework. In relation to the substation, the addition of the atrium roof over and above the existing roof results in an increase in volume to the building however, when compared against the existing building it is clear that the increased roof space would result in a significantly larger building than that which was previously in its place. It is clear that there is harm to the Metropolitan Green Belt in terms of openness from this constructed feature. It was also noted in planning application 3/21/1522/FUL that the resultant design of the substation is of poor design appearing at odds with the overall character of the site with the large roof lantern appearing as an almost separate additional storey to the building. The development would therefore be considered contrary to Policy GBR1, DES2, DES3 and DES4 of the East Herts District Plan 2018, and Section 13 of the National Planning Policy Framework. The Hertfordshire Gymnastics Centre is a conversion of the former concrete portal framed grandstand through the installation of rendered north west elevation fully enclosing what was the open sided grandstand. Whilst planning permission was granted for this building to be converted to a gymnasium under the planning application 3/20/0650/FUL it is clear that the submitted plans were incorrect and therefore no consent has ever lawfully been given for the concrete portal framed grandstand to be converted. Whilst it was noted in this application that this use was acceptable, and this is not argued with in principle there are issues with an unlawful side extension and platform being added to the building. In this case the side extension and platform are unacceptable in terms of bulk, massing, design and would result in disproportionate additions within the Green Belt having a clear impact to the openness of the site being visible from the canal footpath and surrounding residential properties. Concerns have also been raised by the Environment Agency and the Local Lead Flood Authority these have been addressed in the report 3/21/1522/FUL whereby no accurate flood risk assessment or structural report was provided to show how the extension would avoid flood risk or undue impact on to the bank. The development would therefore be considered contrary to Policy GBR1, DES2, DES3 and DES4 and WAT1 of the East Herts District Plan 2018, and Section 13 of the National Planning Policy Framework. The land sees a partially gated off parcel of land to the southwest of the Life Change Gym and to the rear of the security office being used for the storage of high-end luxury vehicles resulting in land being turned to B8 use for the purposes of storage and distribution. It is considered that the use of the land for car storage fundamentally alters the character of the land in terms of its overall appearance. It is accepted that this land may be used for vehicular parking during operating hours of the site, and this would be considered acceptable with the rotation of a smaller number of vehicles, however, in this case there is a significant volume of vehicles located in the same position, appearing commercial and stagnant in nature. It is considered that the storage results in undue harm to the openness of the Green Belt and would fail to fall within the exception of Paragraph 155 (e) of the NPPF (2023) which states that any material change of use of land should preserve the openness of the Green Belt and should not conflict with the purpose of land within it. As this fails to comply with the aims of the NPPF this would also fail to comply with the aims of Policy GBR1 of the East Herts District Plan 2018. To the southeast corner of the site beyond the Hertford Gymnastic Centre and behind the existing grandstand there is a significant accumulation of building materials, welfare units, trailers, shipping containers and vehicles including a HGV and trailer, drift car, boat and dump truck. The Council consider that a change of use of the land has taken place for storage. This results in undue harm to the openness of the Green Belt and would fail to fall within the exception of Paragraph 155 (e) of the NPPF (2023) contrary to Policy GBR1 of the East Herts District Plan 2018. 5. WHAT YOU ARE REQUIRED TO DO 5.1 Take up and remove from the land all materials forming the areas of hardstanding as indicated shaded in blue on the attached plan “Hardstanding plan”. 5.2 Remove all metal security fencing as indicated in orange and annotated on the attached site plan ‘A3 Annotated – Rye House’. 5.3 Demolish the extension to the south east elevation of the grandstand. Restore the former elevation by re erecting in a brickwork and / or render finish to match that of the existing grandstand. 5.4 Remove the platform attached to the south east elevation of the grandstand. 5.5 Cease the use of the land for commercial car storage and remove from the land all vehicles associated with that use. 5.6 Cease the use of the land for the storage of building materials, welfare units, trailers, shipping containers, HGVs and trailers. 5.7 Remove from the land all demolition materials arising as a result of 5.3 and 5.4 above 6. TIME FOR COMPLIANCE The period for compliance is 9 months for requirements 5.1, 5.3, 5.4 and 5.7 each from the date on which this notice takes effect. The period for compliance is 3 months for requirements 5.2, 5.5 and 5.6 each from the date on which this notice takes effect. 7. WHEN THIS NOTICE TAKES EFFECT This notice takes effect on 10th of May 2024, unless an appeal is made against it beforehand. Dated: 10/04/2024 Signed: Head of Planning On behalf of: East Herts District Council Wallfields, Pegs Lane, Hertford SG13 8EQ

Musielak was always going to miss the fixture. Do you honestly believe hundreds of fans would have stayed away if Simon Lambert or Craig Cook guested for Wojdylo? Very very unlikely, fans are used to guests for many reasons. So there's no evidence Lynn would lose thousands of pounds. So postponing is the wrong thing to do. Besides it's not the "speedway community" Buster has to argue against but the SCB when the enquiry happens.

How about this for rider unavailability.

It's not all about the home fans though, like I said, 1 team does one thing another does a different thing, Morris said he was going to make the experience the same across the board no matter what track you were attending, so this needs looking at imo.

No, the speedway community don't want a team to suffer, but they will not tolerate a club manipulating/breaking rules to survive. Its unethical and Lynn should not expect sympathy from anyone. As has been pointed out on numerous occasions, its Buster's fault for not assembling a competitive team from the outset. He is not bigger than the sport and I hope the outcome of SCB review will be something to remind him of this.

I doubt that IoW and NORA would want him anywhere near their organisations.

So its okay to break the rules then. At which point do we say that all rules can be ignored because we might lose a club. In all sports there are rules which clubs must adhere too, so speedway should not be the exception. All this low crowds is a bluff, Peterborough had a very poor last 2 seasons but still had very good crowds because they supported through thick and thin.

The ultimate punishment would be Ostrow withdrawing Musielak's starting permission for British racing. I hope it happens, That way Buster would have nowhere to turn to and his hand will be forced to run meetings with R/R or a Guest at No.1. He's a cheat plain and simple, He's the type of a guy who'd try and rearrange a meeting on a date where the away team is missing 2+ riders. If he cant afford to run Speedway unless everything is pitch perfect then maybe he should've taken a walk a year or two ago by selling Peterborough and King's Lynn to Michael Tomalin and Alex Brady instead he chose to have a fallout with both of them.

League points deduction should be the penalty it stop this nonsense instantly an example needs to be set or others will call meetings off just like KL when riders are missing . .

This time, Chapmans narcistic behavior has been called to account by the appropriate authorities and hopefully his stubborn and arrogant nature will be penalised accordingly.

I feel sorry for the Lynn fans to be honest. They’ve got to be embarrassed at this point. It’s their club and it’s being run like a circus.

While everybody is entitled to their opinion, nobody seems to have addressed the actual rules... 02.2.8 Promoter / Associate Specifically, the staging Promotion is responsible: - c) until 2 hours prior to the advertised start time may postpone the meeting if there are exceptional conditions as would make racing impossible, except where: i) the SCB specifically forbids a Promotion from so doing ii) if a Meeting Steward is appointed to the meeting and must advise the Referee at the earliest opportunity It's an open and shut case... it was not "impossible" to stage this meeting, why the SCB haven't specifically forbidden it is a question that needs asking. They seem pretty toothless against promotions yet come down on riders like a tonne of bricks.

Funny how Buster never called off any Panthers meetings last season when running 70% of the campaign with R/R or MPT at No.1 due to Nicki P quitting after two bends. That alone proves how little he cared about Peterborough Speedway.

You can’t dispense with the parade and start dead on 2.15 with the first race instead because of the forecast! Every Ipswich supporter knew it was 2.15 parade and 2.30 first race. If some people got there at 2.28pm expecting to be in the stadium just in time for the first heat, only to find out they’d missed a couple of heats because they’d decided to bring the first race forward, they’d quite rightly be fuming! Two other things at play here. The bus parade for the football team in the town centre wasn’t scheduled to end until 1.30pm and these things normally overrun. The traffic around the town was mayhem yesterday, so you have to allow them the time to get from the town Centre to Foxhall for the scheduled start time. Another reason bringing the start time forward wouldn’t be an option. Secondly, all the different weather forecasts seemed to be saying different things so nobody actually knew if and when the rain was coming! The Met Office and the BBC had rain forecast from midday which didn’t happen and AccuWeather forecast a completely dry afternoon for Ipswich so again, why would you bring the start time forward to rush the meeting through? They did everything correctly yesterday regards to the start time of the meeting. As I said last night though, the only possible criticism that could be aimed at them was running a couple of heats before the rain break to get to the 10 heats in case they needed to call the meeting and get a result. A couple of those last heats were farcical. They also really have to come up with a better system for meetings called off early. Taking full payment from supporters who only get to see two thirds of a meeting is a complete con. Why not issue tickets at the entrance gate that states in the even of an early call off even if a result stands, your ticket will get you a discount to a future meeting? That seriously needs looking in to.

Although likely that other promoters will stay quiet on the matter, or tow the official line, it would be interesting to hear the views of the Leicester owners/promoters as this latest action by Buster has established yet another example of how low UK speedway as slumped as a professionally (run) sport. To be clear, there is no way the action proposed by Chapman should have been endorsed by either the CEO or the collective responsible authority.

The meeting on Saturday at Plymouth just gone was inserted into the schedule at fairly short notice to make up for a rain off on March 30th. The fixture next week was always on the schedule. With having to do a minimum amount of fixtures for each club, but of course Oxford have 2 teams featured at different levels so Premiership and Championship have to be looked at in isolation. There is also logistics to consider, doesn’t make sense to do Plymouth, then Belle Vue then Poole for example.

So on the restaging date if Leicester are 2 riders out you would expect it to be called off ??

What’s interesting is that 2 weeks ago, a member of this forum posted in the international section saying about the 4 quarter finals to be held on this date, before Kings Lynn’s last home match. It’s interesting the timing of this announcement after Woyldo scored a maximum in the last match. Would it be the same stance if he had scored 2 or 3? It absolutely stinks to postpone a match because there is one rider missing, regardless of how much notice has or hasn’t been given.

Probably going to regret this but here goes... I'll start with the boring factual stuff. Almost all people sentenced to time in prison in the UK serve 50% before release "on licence". It's only if you get over (4 years I think) that you depending on your sentence (as set by the judge) either get 66% in prison, or have to apply for parole. I "think" Jason would have had to apply for parole, parole is almost always rejected at the first attempt. So if Jason has been released at attempt one then he has been very well behaved. That means no fighting, arguing, disagreements, dirty looks, attending courses (that's time spent with psychologists). It means he's worked damn hard. Next bit. Should Jason be allowed to be a speedway rider? Long term forum members will remember me, I idioted up, I went to prison. I met many people who were somewhere between absolute wrong 'uns who IMO should never seen the light of day to people who idioted up and will (are?!) be good people who will add to society on release. Where does Jason fit? Well IMO, he's more on the a bit stupid, but probably knows it and wants to make good but his intelligence makes it hard to explain that. Would I give him a chance? Yes but with very, very strict rules that if he so much as answers back the manger he is sacked. Why? Because I believe that everyone should be given a second chance (what a shock I think that eh?!). One of the reason I think people should get a second chance is, because as other have pointed out, what else can he do? Should he claim benefits for the next 50 years? Give him a purpose in life, trust me, it makes a massive difference. I would also be very wary of trusting anything in the press. Yes the crimes were committed but pleading guilty means you get almost no chance to put your side of the case across, also the press misrepresent things, which legally is allowed. Lies? Yep, sure as long as there is a vague basis of fact. So the press ask you for your side? Do they idiot!

This could/should be his biggest test

Had this had happened before Wojdylo scored 17 paid 18 I don't think it would have been postponed.

With the riders that are not racing on Thursday and those that only race championship (Simon lambert) buster could have got 2 guests and arguably fielded a stronger side that what he has anyway,

Or it shows that the club is well supported and viable despite the sub standard product that he usually subjected the Panthers faithful to during his tenure.

Maybe Jason Doyle fits the category? 2010 Poole, aged 24, at reserve, running a 4 point average.. 2011. Aged 25, a second string at Poole.. 2017. Champion of the World!! A massive leap...

Richard Green, Exeter It was a miserable start to the 1988 season at Exeter with a rag tag ensemble of riders who were either years past their best or misfits ie. Bruce Cribb, Dave Trownson, Paul Evitts etc. A couple of months into the season and they signed Richard Green, a second string left out of the Mildenhall team. Hardly inspiring. But he was a sensation. In his first meeting he took Gordon Kennett from the back. From that point on, he was the absolute darling of the crowd for several brilliantly entertaining years with his ‘win or crash’ approach. He would have won the NLRC one year if he hadn’t crashed (again!) in his last race. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a rider make as many last bend overtakes as Greeny did. He was a real catalyst for turning the season round. Peter Jeffrey also emerged from the juniors as a real prospect, then Steve Regeling arrived and we had a proper no1. By the end of the season, we even started winning away matches!

Must admit I was very surprised that people actually believe that the announced start time is the actual 1st race! Completely barmy!!! Speedway meetings always have had a start time (2.15pm, 7.30pm etc) which anyone that has ever been to a speedway meeting knows that meetings start with a parade AT that scheduled time. Heat 1 has never been at the announced start time. The only exemptions have been when the weather is bad or poor forecast so they forgo the parade and start heat 1 straight away. That’s an exemption not a normality. It makes you wonder if people commenting have ever been to an actual meeting!

It’s completely irrelevant what YOU would prefer. You’re talking utter b0llocks here and you’re just coming across as a bitter fan of a local rival with an axe to grind. I’ve seen nobody get “defensive’ on here, just people stating facts that the meeting started bang ON TIME, which it did. You’re whinging for whinging’s sake. Honestly it’s a bit rich coming from a fan of a club that calls off bloody meetings due to non existent “poor” forecast! I’d concentrate on your own clubs massive failings if I were you. Enjoy the meeting on Thursday. Oh that’s off as well is it?

Official SCB enquiry into the postponement of this fixture. Blimey

I feel that there are a few things to address here still. I am bemused by the Ipswich fans on here so defensive about their parade times - I too have attended speedway around the country and Europe but frankly I couldn't care less about riders saying hello to the crowd over real racing! We all know that the package is only 15 minutes so needs some filler but there are times when this doesn't make sense and I'm sure most of us have been to meetings when the parade is sacrificed or the interval delayed. Now if the council have a ruling, that I fully understand, but it's a matter of communication to everyone, not just home fans, to say Tapes up at 2:30pm. If I turn up to se a 3:00pm kick off at Football I don't expect to see the team coming out to play at 3:15. Equally if labour laws insist there is a certain interval for track staff, just let us know when the interval is called - at least we can moan at other factors then. My real gripe/concern is that yesterday was another one of those chances to boost the sport - good crowd expected for a bank holiday derby and some first-timers were even acknowledged by the announcer. But what would the opinion be of those casual fans? How tempted would a family be to spend good money on a sport that pays so much heed to the weather, and ends up in everyone traipsing out feeling short-changed by only seeing two thirds of the races. Maybe results shouldn't be called after 10 heats? Maybe refunds should be given up to Heat 15? Would promotors attitudes be different then? I don't think the two minutes was put on immediately after every race, no matter what the local fans say, and I just didn't feel that enough urgency was shown - sorry Chris Louis! As I said I compared it to the Oxford match I attended earlier in the season where the meeting reached a full conclusion when the track was far from ideal and all parties were trying hard to get through as soon as they could due to the threat of another downpour. In the end I guess I would only have to endure another 5 heats of Ipswich putting my beloved Stars to the sword - and in the meantime I realise I've turned into my dad!

I got an email at 17:34 advising it was off- the same time it was posted on Facebook.

Birmingham, by their own statements, had 7 riders to choose from for their final 2 heat leader spots, so it sounds like there was a surplus. There hasn't been enough rider resource for years, hence doubling up.

thats how fast speedway has progressed, actually sounds like its going backwards.

If he didn't want to be a part of it he should have run CL not assemble a team with 3 Polish licensed riders in it

It’s two guests like everyone else has to do or R/R and one guest. just because the promoter has fallen out with so many riders and isn’t prepared to pay the going rate, that’s down to him. He also chose to sign 3 polish based riders which as everyone knows and has been the case for decades can be withdrawn at a whim by their polish clubs.

He really needs to be given the boot out of the sport. This nonsense cant go on for much longer. Simon Lambert can easily guest for Wojdylo, Then you either run R/R at No.1 or book someone like Chris Harris to guest.

That is so unprofessional, as soon as it was postponed, should've been on the website, FB & twitter asap

There are many promotors with many faults in this country, but Chris Louis ranks up there with one of the best. Instead of getting the begging bowl out, sometimes it goes a long way when it hasn’t quite gone to plan to show your appreciation for those who have spent their hard earned dosh.

And all this talk about the start time is hilarious Ive been going speedway for 40 years …. started at Hackney … make it a date Friday at 8…. Guess what …. The parade and intros started at 8.. racing about 8.15 Rye House I used to go to was 4 on a Sunday …. Guess what parade at 4 and meeting about 4.15 Start time does not mean tapes up to me … it means the start of the evenings entertainment People moan that speedway doesn’t put on a show well those 15 minutes of parade and intros is about creating an atmosphere. Its all well and good to say scrap that and start but then a lot of people miss the beginning If your cinema ticket says 8pm does the film start at 8pm? Some people get to the cinema about 10 minutes after the advertised time … imagine if they walked in and missed the first 10 minutes of the film! Surely all speedway fans know start time doesn’t mean tapes up

So say hypothetically Wojdylo gets injured in this polish meeting, will buster cancel the remaining kl fixtures until he and tobi are fit because he doesn’t want to ride without them? Where do you draw the line.

The usual folk complaining about what they wouldn't have done. Sadly, these are usually those who never 'DO' themselves. One day they will fall out of their armchair still clutching their social media link to the world.

Ivan Mauger... He even ended up going back home to NZ when first over here as he wasn't good enough to get a team place...!!!! Before coming back and giving it another go.. And turning out "quite good" in the end....

Mark Thorpe for me. Was dropped at one point during his first two season's with the Diamonds despite showing glimpses of potential he was ordinary in some not very good Diamonds teams. As I understand it he wasn't in the promoters thoughts for a third season but the numbers worked and he found himself starting the season at reserve with newly signed Scott Lamb. Probably the best 2nd tier reserve pairing ever, Thorpie was like a different rider going straight from reserve to heat leader and staying there. Even become Commonwealth Champion (I think) at one point. Statistically speaking it has to be Berwick's Wayne Brown.

Bobby Ott... Came over and rode at reserve for the Aces on borrowed engines and was "not good" with plenty of Aces fans wondering why he had been selected... Gradually improved, as his equipment did, and in 1993 won the "winner takes all" last heat decider at Wolverhampton to win the Aces the title. A truly top level talent on a Speedway bike, and, in my top seven all time Aces septet such was his natural ability.. I once watched him slide to the ground, so technically,"fell off" and, in one movement, flip the bike up whilst still being sat on it, and carry on without the bike's engine stopping... Unfortunately the rider following laid his bike down to avoid hitting Bobby, and then procrastinated on track to the ref's box, as Bobby rode off into the distance, and the race was stopped.... With Bobby excluded!! He wasn't happy... I remember him saying that this was something he actually practiced so was particularly miffed that the race got stopped... He used to practice his balance on a uni cycle as he felt it helped him on a Speedway bike... Watched him ride for the USA in several Tests,, and top score in a team full of true World Class talent at the time... A sad day when he left the Aces, as he was truly "box office on a bike" given his riding style..

He can't hold a gun to the sports head or else every tom, dick and Harry will try it on, I think the minimum for Tv is 6 teams

In this instance one third of the admission should be refunded.. If a waiter took your 25 quid meal off you, two thirds in, and said "we are closing early" you wouldn't be too impressed would you? The BSP should work as a collective (which they say they do), and, in this instance, KL should let their fans, who attended the match, in at their next home match for a reduced pro rrata price, and then get the money from Ipswich.. In a utopian world it would be a pro rata refund direct in cash or bank account, but doing it this way means attending the next meeting which will also help the clubs, especially as BHM draw the largest crowds, some their only visits so getting many of them to return has to be a positive..

It's been announced at 20:39... finally I can start my journey home

I have to agree Lee would often fall multiple times in a race when he first started at Reading. until he was taken under the guiding wing of John Davis who I believe single handed turned this raw talent into the World star he became.

Steve Johnston... When he first arrived at Long Eaton from second halving at Sheffield I used to have to watch his races through my fingers, seemed to be out of control for most of his races!

Gutted to be out didn’t expect Woffinden to win but thought he d make the semifinals easily how wrong can you get a very poor performance from him well done and good luck to everyone still in thanks for running the competition again R/R pity I couldn’t stay in a little longer