— Updated on July 6 with *petition numbers and **LRRC statement
Dozens of Lincolnites have signed an online petition against the proposed racecourse on the West Common. The petition, titled Hands off our West Common, aims to make those “who have decision-power aware that this is not a change that we want for the local community.”
116 Lincoln residents have signed the petition at the time of writing, with more expected to join as the link to the petition is now propagated through the Twitter and Facebook social networks.
The Lincoln Racecourse Regeneration Company (LRRC) unveiled on June 11 its proposal for the horse racing course in the West Common area, which would include the renovation of the existing Grandstand, construction of new stable blocks and associated buildings. The course would bring investment of over £12 million over the next five to seven years, say the developers.
‘Not in the public interest’, say petitioners
“What a disgrace this would be, I can’t believe the [City] Council would ever contemplate this ridiculous idea, there are plenty of courses in the area, Market Rasen being the nearest not 15 miles away. The West Common is far to precious to lose,” commented David Joyce on the petition.
“There are so few green spaces in the city already, we need to maintain this area so that families can continue to use and enjoy it. There are other racecourses within travelling distance of the city; another one is completely unnecessary,” wrote Carol Callinan. “This is not in the public interests and would ruin the scenery of this wonderful part of the city,” Dominic Burford added.
“Racing on the West Common has zero business potential. If we change the use of this beautiful resource, the land will become littered with houses, shops and filling stations,” commented Naomi Marriott.
Under the proposed plans, the existing Grandstand would be renovated.
LRRC anticipates that racing will only take place a maximum of 16 times per year, at various times of the week, specifically between March and October, with up to 5,000 people attending per event. The full document of the proposal (PDF) was made available to the public on June 11.
“I have read the company’s proposal and believe it will have a devastating effect on the West Common. The development required, by way of buildings/roads, etc. will result in a major loss of natural environment, and the disturbance on race days (including litter/clearing up afterwards) will be significant. The Lincoln Commons are a precious asset for Lincoln and its residents and significant development like that proposed by the LRRC should not be allowed,” argued Mike Norman.
“I remember the races as a kid,” recalled Kate Bartlett. “Our house was near one of the jumps. It was annoying not being allowed to play on the common during race meetings. […] It would be nice to see the Grandstand put to good use again. It does look very sad and shabby. However horse racing would not benefit most of the people who live in the West End.”
West End residents are also worried about the reduced parking facilities during racing days. “I live next to the West Common and like many other West End residents have been forced into paying for Residents Parking, which is only operational on working days, Monday to Friday,” said Kevin Smith.
“The plans for race meetings to be held only on Sundays and bank holidays mean that parking will be extremely difficult to impossible unless the Residents Parking scheme becomes applicable on these days as well. I also walk on the Common every day and sincerely hope that I will not be prevented from doing so if the proposed plans go ahead,” Smith added.
In April 1946, jockeys bunched together in the first furlong of the Lincoln racecourse.
City Council and MP await feedback
“It is important that people from across the city have their say on the proposals to investigate the feasibility of bringing professional flat horse racing back to Lincoln,” said Lincoln MP Karl McCartney, who initially backed the racecourse plans.
“The valid points raised in this petition (as in any other) would rightly be taken up in any feasibility exercise for any proposal that would effect a major change within the City of Lincoln,” McCartney added.
“As the MP, I want the best possible outcome for the majority of my constituents, and would support any inward investment to our city that might offer economic regeneration, transport infrastructure improvements, generate employment and improve the area in which it was based — but obviously only if it also adhered to the planning regime and various regulations that governed any such proposal.”
The West Common has not changed much since last used for horse racing in 1965.
“The City of Lincoln Council’s position about this proposal has been made clear since these ideas were first muted. Like any organisation, the Lincoln Racecourse Regeneration Company is entitled to put forward a proposal for the council’s consideration, however I must stress that the proposal has not been commissioned by the City Council,” said John Bibby, Director of Housing and Community Services.
“We have made it clear to the company concerned that we are not in a position to commit any financial resources to the development of these proposals. The council is currently studying the proposals and is seeking comment from the Commons Advisory Panel. The next step is to take the findings to the council’s Executive. Following this, a formal response will be made to LRRC.
“There are a considerable number of factors that the City Council will no doubt need to take into consideration before deciding whether it enters into formal discussions with the LRRC, or any other organisation, to re-open the racecourse.
“A petition against this scheme can be formally presented to the council, as is the process for any other petition. If the council decides it is minded to further explore this proposal, any development will need to be subject to extensive public consultation and the provisions of the Lincoln City Commons Act including consideration of any necessary planning consents,” Bibby concluded.
The stated aim of the Lincoln Racecourse Trust is to return professional flat racing to Lincoln.
An extraordinary committee meeting of the Lincoln Commons Advisory Panel has been arranged for Wednesday, July 14, beginning 6pm. This meeting will take place in Committee Rooms 1, 2, and 3 at the City Hall.
The discussion will be between City councillors who are members of this panel, and serving committee members who represent various bodies in the West Common, and a representative of LRRC. Like with other council meetings, the general public are not allowed to take part in the discussions. Councillor Helen Heath is one of three serving City councillors for Carholme Ward who will be chairing this meeting.
Racecourse company has no definitive answers**
“We understand that many residents have specific points they would like us to answer but unfortunately we are not able to answer them at the moment because we simply do not know the definitive answers,” said Karen Rastall, the spokesperson for the The Lincoln Racecourse Regeneration Company.
“It is essential that we carry out these detailed plans to do so, and for us to commit to spending the tens of thousands of pounds to achieve this, we need to be assured that the Council would be prepared to consider granting a lease subject to a full planning consultation.”
“We are currently awaiting discussions with City of Lincoln Council to determine if they would consider giving us the opportunity to work up a clear detailed plan, which will address the many issues relating to a project of this scale, including such matters as an environmental impact study, and a full traffic feasibility study for our preferred location,” Rastall added.
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A divisive holiday park has been given the green light, with councillors reassurred that it’s unlikely to disrupt residents.
The “five star” park would see 79 static caravans located near Market Rasen Racecourse.
Objectors said they feared it would become a ratrun and lead to noise and light pollution.
However, a visit to the site by West Lindsey District Council’s planning committee allayed concerns over traffic problems.
They hope it will provide Market Rasen with an economic boost instead.
Councillor Roger Patterson said in the meeting: “This will be good for the town, raising the possibility of regeneration and attracting more people to the shops, pubs, cafés and supermarkets.
“This isn’t a Club 18 to 30 or a hotel in Spain – it won’t be young revellers making a hell of a ruckus. You get a very specific group.
“All of the holiday parks I’ve visited have been peaceful and there’s never been any issues or anti-social behaviour.”
The site would make it easy for holidaymakers to visit the racecourse or golf course | Photo: Google
Councillor Angela White agreed, saying: “There are many more holiday sites in Woodall Spa than Market Rasen, and the high street there is always vibrant because people who come on their holidays support the economy.”
However, some still harboured doubts about the traffic situation.
Councillor Cordelia McCartney said: “Members who went on the site visit probably saw it peaceful and tranquil – at school time or a race day it’s more like Euston Road [in London].”
To address the issues, the holiday park will be required to stagger arrival and departure times.
Traffic also won’t be allowed to turn left out of the site on Legsby Road.
The plans were brought by Green Park Caravans, who said there was demand for high-quality holiday homes in the area.
The park is expected to be used by holidaymakers all year round.
Colin Davie, Lincolnshire’s executive councillor for business, doesn’t think recent issues in China should put off investment into the county.
The county has been looking to cement its relationship with Chinese investors since 2015, working with the province of Hunan in a bid to share in some of its £385 billion a year economy and “sell Lincolnshire internationally”.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic, recent tensions with America and Taiwan, the country’s environmental record and its genocide of and human rights abuses against Uyghurs and other minorities have put the country under the spotlight in recent years.
Rutland MP Alicia Kearns recently hit out at Chinese ties to a massive solar farm on the Lincolnshire border as she urged the government to support a Taiwan trade deal.
But Councillor Colin Davie, Lincolnshire County Council’s executive portfolio holder for economy, believes that unless China “like Putin goes rogue” it would remain a global superpower “that we have to live with and do business with in one way or the other”.
“Half the products you buy or consume every day have a connection to China – you’re not going to suddenly turn that tap off because its not viable to do so without collapsing the economy.”
He said the impact of closing ports in the country because of COVID had already shown problems within the supply chain.
“There is considerable Chinese investment in Lincolnshire and they will continue to invest but probably in a different way in the future,” he said.
“I have no problem with that provided that China doesn’t become a rogue state.”
He said that there appeared to be a debate going on within China which looked at how the country was positioned within the world and whether it had closer, more understanding relationships with the West or took a more hardline approach.
He said there was no need to “burn bridges,” but instead urged for quieter discussions which influenced and encouraged China to take a “really substantial positive role in the world”.
In response to Ms Kearn’s concerns, he added that if a hardline approach was taken to China a similar one would need to be taken to other countries, such as Qatar hosting the World Cup.
“You can’t pick and choose,” he said.
“We have to recognise that China has a global role to play and it needs to encourage global security and not do anything to destabilise the world even further.”
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