Peterborough Panthers 2024 (or not, confirmed 14/11/23)

[admin]

Peterborough Panthers: Fans rally for speedway team with no home



Many fans turned out to fight for the survival of their speedway team that has been in Peterborough for 53 years.

Peterborough Panthers are without a home after their racetrack at the East of England Showground shut in October.

Community spirit was high as fans from the city and further afield came together by the Guildhall on Saturday to show their support.

Julie Stevenson, independent councillor for Orton Waterville, said: "It's too soon to give up.

"There was no trouble, everyone was a good mood. I am really pleased with how it went, turn-out wise and speeches wise - it was all spot on."

Peterborough Panthers are not expected to race next year because the 165-acre (66.7 hectare) showground site is set for a £50m redevelopment - and it does not include a speedway track.

Development plans by the site's operator Asset Earning Power Group (AEPG) include a leisure complex, up to 1,500 homes, a hotel, primary school and a care home.

Ms Stevenson said Peterborough could be at risk of losing its identity if they were to lose speedway racing.

"None of us know what is going to happen next. Today was about reminding people not to give up," she said.

"It adds to [people's] sense of pride in Peterborough and a sense of belonging and contributing to the city, and my worry is that if we lose that then Peterborough becomes a nothing place.

"If we let this go, what else will be taken from us?"

Mick Bratley, part of a consortium of fans trying to keep the club alive, said the rally attracted people from all generations.

"I think it's going to be heart-breaking for a lot of people," he said.

"We will keep on campaigning to be included in the plans for the developer of the showground.

"Today was just the start, it wasn't the end. There are going to be more rallies and we are not going to stop until we get speedway back into Peterborough."

BBC Nov 19

[admin]

Nov 19, 2023 14:49:12 GMT admin said:

Peterborough Panthers: Fans rally for speedway team with no home



Many fans turned out to fight for the survival of their speedway team that has been in Peterborough for 53 years.

Peterborough Panthers are without a home after their racetrack at the East of England Showground shut in October.

Community spirit was high as fans from the city and further afield came together by the Guildhall on Saturday to show their support.

Julie Stevenson, independent councillor for Orton Waterville, said: "It's too soon to give up.

"There was no trouble, everyone was a good mood. I am really pleased with how it went, turn-out wise and speeches wise - it was all spot on."

Peterborough Panthers are not expected to race next year because the 165-acre (66.7 hectare) showground site is set for a £50m redevelopment - and it does not include a speedway track.

Development plans by the site's operator Asset Earning Power Group (AEPG) include a leisure complex, up to 1,500 homes, a hotel, primary school and a care home.

Ms Stevenson said Peterborough could be at risk of losing its identity if they were to lose speedway racing.

"None of us know what is going to happen next. Today was about reminding people not to give up," she said.

"It adds to [people's] sense of pride in Peterborough and a sense of belonging and contributing to the city, and my worry is that if we lose that then Peterborough becomes a nothing place.

"If we let this go, what else will be taken from us?"

Mick Bratley, part of a consortium of fans trying to keep the club alive, said the rally attracted people from all generations.

"I think it's going to be heart-breaking for a lot of people," he said.

"We will keep on campaigning to be included in the plans for the developer of the showground.

"Today was just the start, it wasn't the end. There are going to be more rallies and we are not going to stop until we get speedway back into Peterborough."

BBC Nov 19

So why has this been covered by many other outlets and has been all over Facebook but is still nowhere to be seen on Peterborough Telegraph

[rodders]

Seems reposed from AEPG and EOES was a resounding Two Fingers

[dribble]

A full report is on my news headlines from Peterborough Telegraph

[admin]

Nov 20, 2023 18:05:36 GMT dribble said:

A full report is on my news headlines from Peterborough Telegraph

So it is

Peterborough Panthers hold city centre rally as consortium plans return to racing at Showground in 2025

Speedway will not be returning to Peterborough in 2024 (well done Buster, job done!) but there are hopes for a return in 2025.

Fans of Peterborough Panthers Speedway club gathered in their numbers in Cathedral Square on Saturday afternoon as the battle to save the club goes on.

The Panthers are currently without a home after being evicted from the Showground ahead of proposals to completely develop the site were submitted by the East of England Agricultural Society’s agents AEPG.

The club has raced continuously at the Showground since its formation in 1970, 53 years ago.

Two separate applications, one for 650 new homes and another for 850 new homes as well as a hotel, school and leisure village. At present, almost 2000 objections have been submitted to these proposals.

A six person consortium, consisting of Carl Johnson, Mick Bratley, Michael Tomalin, Dave Hewitt, Andy Fairchild, Josh Hewitt, are locked in talks with current owner Keith Chapman to purchase the club with the intention of pushing towards restarting racing at the Showground in 2025.

It was confirmed at the rally that there would be no speedway in the city in 2024 as the deadline for entry into the league has already passed.

The rally was well attended and saw a number of passionate fans turn out to hear speeches from consortium members as well as Orton Waterville ward councillor Juile Stevenson who has joined the campaign to save the Panthers.

Councillor Stevenson said: “ We need to save speedway in Peterborough for so many reasons. Speedway is a lovely family sport, it’s lovely to see generations of people together.

"What matters most of all is being able to build communities together and being able to support each other, talk to each other and being able to share in our pastimes together.

"I do wonder if these developers have any idea about community at all. We’ve got to fight for that. This is just the start of a process. It’s really important not to give up and say that everything is decided.

"It’s not a giving up moment, there’s plenty of course left to run with this. This is a cause well worth fighting for, if you let them take the speedway, what are they going to take next?"

Former team manager, promoter and consortium member Carl Johnson said: “We are doing all we are doing to make sure we still have a club. To be realistic, next season is not going to happen, we’ve missed the deadline so we’re looking at being back on track at the Showground at 2025.

"We want this club back on track in 2025 at the Showground, our home, that’s where we belong.

“We’re fighting for everyone. It;s been part of my life for 41 years, we want to see all of the faces that have turned out back in 2025 supporting us.”

Consortium member Mick Bratley said: “The Showground development is being led as a leisure led development. We want to be part of that leisure.

"We don’t need golf ranges or health and wellness, we want a speedway track on there whether it’s in the place it is now or it’s somewhere else, we don’t care. You tell us and we’ll build it.”

Fellow consortium member Josh Hewitt added: “I would love the track to stay where it is but AEPG have very different views. We need to do as much as we can to persuade them to keep speedway alive in the city.

“The ideal solution would be to keep the track there, maybe move it away from the stand a bit, add an athletics track, football pitches, there’s so much scope there that would keep sporting institutions in the city alive and speedway should be part of that.”

The Showground track has a reputation for being one of the best in the country and the consortium has also confirmed that its exact measurements have been taken so that any potential new track can be built to the same specifications.

www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/people/peterborough-panthers-hold-city-centre-rally-as-consortium-plans-return-to-racing-at-showground-in-2025-4415774 for pictures!

[dribble]

Just read a report by Peterborough Telegraph that AEPG states regardless of protest's and objections there will definately be no speedway at the show ground now or in the future, so where so we go from here ?

[rodders]

Nov 21, 2023 17:57:51 GMT dribble said:

Just read a report by Peterborough Telegraph that AEPG states regardless of protest's and objections there will definately be no speedway at the show ground now or in the future, so where so we go from here ?

This is what I have been trying to point out all along. Panthers have only ever been tenants and the landlord whoever they may be has the right to grant, renew or cease the tenancy whenever they want. Much has been made of local plans and whether or not the continuity f Speedway is inherent in that plan. What then I ask myself to that plan if nobody was able or wanted to run Speedway at EOES?

Desperately want Panthers to continue but seems axiomatic that new venue required

[admin]

Nov 21, 2023 17:57:51 GMT dribble said:

Just read a report by Peterborough Telegraph that AEPG states regardless of protest's and objections there will definitely be no speedway at the show ground now or in the future, so where do we go from here?

First thing is that unless this never ending takeover happens then nowhere basically. Just look at the club website. Until we get someone in charge who changes that narrative from the AEPG position then they are still in the driving seat. You wouldn't know of the support rally and actions if that was your information source. If anyone asks Butterfield what's going on with Peterborough Speedway then he can just send them this link www.peterborough-speedway.com/

That ET story is just a compilation of what we already know so I wouldn't read too much in to it, it's all sabre rattling before AEPG make their next move and the trench warfare starts again. It's good to see them slagging off the local community and PCC, that's genius diplomacy

AEPG don't want resistance and have already shown they can't handle criticism, are short on detail and can't back up their rhetoric. We have bright, passionate local people in our camp and that's something that they haven't and that's priceless.

The difficulty now that Chapman has helped to kill 2024 is to keep the interest and the momentum going from now for the next 12 months. People are enthusiastic a month after the event but give it 4 or 5 months of nothing Panthers 2024 related and see where we are then.

Until AEPG get their plan approved nobody is going anywhere so we're at stalemate really. What's missing is that they said:

"Peterborough Panthers speedway team informed in 2022 that the 2023 season would sadly have to be their last in the Showground grandstand, as that area is expected to be under different ownership by the time the 2024 Speedway season begins - Sale of the land is expected to be approved by Spring 2024, again subject to planning approval.

Firstly that's not what Chapman said on his centre green speech but take that with a pinch of salt. Secondly, are AEPG going to get their plans approved before spring? Where does that leave the sale? Would any sensible builder get hooked up with these clowns and their unwanted vision with speedway club and council opposition?.

Rodders is right in that AEPG can dig their heels in but depending on whether the PCC Planning and Environmental Committee really do care about about their constituents views (as they said at the Oct 17 planning meeting) and 1000s of objections then Butterfield may have to speak to the club to find a solution, which brings us back to the first sentence.

[admin]

Nov 21, 2023 17:57:51 GMT dribble said:

Just read a report by Peterborough Telegraph that AEPG states regardless of protest's and objections there will definately be no speedway at the show ground now or in the future, so where so we go from here ?

After reading this and PCC not, that I can see, coming to any sort of conclusion, I'd say playing catch up, on the back foot and needing to pull a rabbit out of the hat?

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.

This is a bit more positive:

LP36 – East of England Showground

Policy LP36 sets out the site-specific requirements for allocation LP35.7. This includes the requirements for a comprehensive master plan, which shows how the functioning showground will be retained. Proposals should not have any unacceptable impacts on the surrounding uses and especially nearby residential properties as well as the nearby village of Alwalton.

The supporting text explains that:

‘The East of England Showground is a unique facility with a wide variety of land uses. Any
proposal must be supported by a comprehensive master plan for the showground site, and be
subject to an assessment of the environmental and traffic impacts on the adjoining
residenal areas and surrounding road networks, and on the nearby village of Alwalton.
Suitable measures will need to be taken to alleviate any adverse impacts’.

An illustrative master plan has been submitted showing the showground site (Land A and B) and suggests how the requirements of policy LP36 could be met. The applications propose to retain an element of the showground uses, via the retention and
enhancement of the arena, providing conference facilities and through the non-residential elements of the proposed plans also provide employment opportunities in accordance with the policy. However, it is debatable whether the amount of showground uses retained would in fact be in accordance with the policy, as it will no longer be possible to hold large outdoor events such as ‘truckfest’, antique fairs and the speedway events on the site. The submitted master plan provides indicative layouts for development and densities. Lower densities are proposed adjacent to existing development, but are particularly high in areas central to the site and could result in development that is not compatible with the retained showground uses or the wider area, including previous development on former showground land. Comments from the Environmental Health team, should be considered.

If each application is considered separately for Land A and Land B, then these applications, that would not meet the requirements of policy LP36.

Land A meets the quantum of development set out in policy LP35 for 650 dwellings. But it does not meet the wider policy requirements as it is entirely residential development. This application does
demonstrate how the showground will be retained.

Whilst land B includes the retention of the showground facilities, The number of dwellings proposed is significantly in excess of the 650 stated in policy LP35 and will need to be justified. For both applications, it will also need to be made clear whether the existing highway network will be able to accommodate this increased level of additional development.

Summary

The showground site is allocated in the adopted Local Plan;

however, the proposed combined total 1,500 dwellings is significantly higher than that set out in the Local Plan.

Although the indicative dwelling figure of 650 is not a set policy target, the figure was based on the requirements to accommodate showground facilities and to take into account the transport implications. If a higher figure is proposed this should be based on a design led solution as set out as part of the master plan taking into account, all local plan policies and national policy.

The application for Land A is for 650 dwellings and therefore in accordance with the housing figure set out in Policy LP35, however, this application does not demonstrate how the showground facilities will be retained, and therefore, does not meet the requirements of policies LP5 and LP36.

Whilst the application for Land B includes the provision of some showground facilities, it is not clear how the showground facilities can be sufficiently retained. The proposed dwelling total of 850 dwellings is higher than that set out in the Local Plan. This raises also concerns about the transport impacts of this scheme, and the comments from National Highways (dated 25/10/2023) are noted.

Therefore, the case officer will need to consider and balance the information provided as part of the applications.

plandocs.peterborough.gov.uk/PublicDocuments/01326357.pdf

[rodders]

Despite protestations of ever lasting love , rodents seem to be leaving the sinking ship in droves , seeking more agreeable climes elsewhere. When and if Panthers return no doubt they will claim they never lost their love for Panthers

[admin]

Nov 23, 2023 18:50:42 GMT rodders said:

Despite protestations of ever lasting love, rodents seem to be leaving the sinking ship in droves, seeking more agreeable climes elsewhere. When and if Panthers return no doubt they will claim they never lost their love for Panthers

Wrong target.

[rodders]

Nov 23, 2023 21:27:23 GMT admin said:

Nov 23, 2023 18:50:42 GMT rodders said:

Despite protestations of ever lasting love, rodents seem to be leaving the sinking ship in droves, seeking more agreeable climes elsewhere. When and if Panthers return no doubt they will claim they never lost their love for Panthers

Wrong target.

No target intended