Former promoter claims losing Peterborough Panthers speedway is 'scandalous' for city
The speedway season gets underway, but without the Panthers
Last updated 18th Mar 2024
A former promoter at Peterborough Panthers believes losing the club would be "scandalous" for the city.
The speedway season is underway but the Panthers are not racing, having no where to meet amid plans to redevelop their East of England Showground home.
A consortium aiming to take control of the Panthers was due to meet city councillors last month, but talks fell through.
"The sport is on the increase"
Carl Johnson is on the consortium:
"To lose something that's been running for as long as what we have, would be absolutely scandalous for the city; it's another sports club that disappears and there's no need for it," he said.
"The sport is on the increase, certainly support-wise we've seen since Covid; during Covid, we lost out that season and I think that's made people realise just how much they need this sport in their life."
Council calls for 'amendments'
In a statement to developers Asset Earning Power Group (AEPG) in January, planning officer James Lloyd said the plans "require significant amendment to make the proposal acceptable in planning terms."
Mr Lloyd said currently due to "deficiencies in the level of information submitted, the proposal fails to provide sufficient justification for a departure from the Local Plan" and all changes would be subject to further public consultation.
In response, Ashley Butterfield, CEO at AEPG said amendments may take "several months requiring further extensions of time" to complete.
Mr Butterfield added AEPG "is willing to engage in more public consultation if it becomes necessary but any changes will not be significant to warrant more consultation."
Previously, AEPG said it was planning to submit a report on why speedway would not be returning to the Showground.
A spokesperson said: "We continue to work with Peterborough City Council in a positive collaboration."
Meeting must happen
Carl said the consortium wants to be part of the redevelopment plans, but a meeting with councillors must take place first.
"Before the council make too many steps with AEPG, they need to hear from our side; they still need to sit down with us and see how they can help us; we can help them and all come to hopefully some sort of agreement," he added.
"We're not jumping and running before we can walk; we want to speak to the council as soon as we can and at the minute, that's not happened but we've got to bide our time.
"They're (AEPG) looking at putting a sports venue in there, why can't we be part of this development?
"We've been there for 53 years; it's not the sort of thing where we've just rocked up and set up camp and we're part of Peterborough's history."
Plans could be decided this summer
Peterborough City Council have said discussions continue with AEPG on how best to move forward with the plans.
"The applicant needs to do more technical work before the applications are ready to be considered by planning committee, if the recommendation is to be to approve them," a council spokesperson said.
"As things currently stand, planning committee will not be asked to consider these applications until June at the earliest."