Perry Barr Greyhound Stadium future in jeopardy
It could signal the end of greyhound racing and Speedway in Birmingham.
The future of one of Birmingham’s most iconic sporting landmarks is in jeopardy amid a pre-planning application involving a 660-home development proposal.
Perry Barr’s 94-year-old stadium, off Aldridge Road, is, according to its leaseholders, at the heart of a “significant regeneration opportunity”, which could potentially signal the end of greyhound racing and speedway in Birmingham.
A pre-planning application was submitted to Birmingham City Council earlier this year outlining how the site had been earmarked for housing. This month, Arena Racing Company – which runs greyhound racing operations at Perry Barr – outlined its plans to develop a new greyhound racing track at Wolverhampton Racecourse.
A statement explained how ARC planned to make Wolverhampton “a landmark venue for greyhound racing, not just in the West Midlands but nationally”, sparking concern over the future of greyhound racing at Perry Barr.
The venue’s head leaseholders, Corbally Group, today issued a fresh statement confirming changes were on the horizon. A spokesperson said: “We are working closely with Birmingham City Council to develop exciting proposals that will offer a significant regeneration opportunity for the area.
“Further details on the plans will be set out through a public consultation which will be launched in due course.”
In response to doubts surrounding the future of Perry Barr’s world-renowned sporting venue, local councillor Jon Hunt said: “There’s been no planning application just yet but we will resist this as it’s a major sports facility and the site, in planning terms, is listed for sport. It would totally undermine the character of this part of Perry Barr.”
Fellow Perry Barr councillor Morriam Jan added: “We need to keep sports facilities in Perry Barr, and creating even more homes is not the answer.
“Yes, more houses need to be developed in Birmingham but not at the expense of a historic, and important, sporting venue.”
Perry Barr Stadium was opened in July 1929 and was the original home of the athletics club, Birchfield Harriers, before their move to nearby Alexander Stadium in 1977.
In 1984, Perry Barr Stadium hosted greyhound racing for the first time and is now the only greyhound racing stadium in Birmingham following the closure of Hall Green. The Aldridge Road venue has also been home to speedway’s Birmingham Brummies since 2007.