Not over yet! Ringwood Raceway to continue events for 2022 season

Plans have been submitted for a retirement village at the site off Matchams Lane, which meant racing fanatics thought they attended the last ever meet in August.

However, as the plans are yet to receive approval, the landowner has allowed the site to continue racing for the 2022 season.

READ MORE: Ringwood Raceway closes for the final time

A Ringwood Raceway Events spokesperson said: “As you are all aware in May we had been given notice to stop racing at the end of August.

“This was done as the planning application was in and the landowner had to make a decision on the site for the company that had put forward the application.

“We are as you are aware under a strict high court order that limits us on race dates each season with no racing allowed in June, July or august except for one race date and the two-day event.

“Therefore, we had to let everyone know in May that the notice had been given to stop racing by August end.

“During this crucial three months the planning application currently has not been given approval, after meetings with the landowner we have been given an extended period of racing being able to take place until the end of the 2022 race season.

“With this in mind, we are extremely grateful for the extension given by our landowner and are pleased to confirm that racing will continue starting on September 3.

“The meeting will be free for any spectator gate, parking fee will apply please and gates open at 2pm.”

READ MORE: Ringwood Raceway plans are back open for public consultation

Inspired Villages applied for permission for the retirement village, with the proposals recently sent out for public consultation.

Savills, responding to the public concerns on behalf of Inspired Villages, said: “The vast majority of comments refer to loss of the sports facility as the primary concern regarding the proposed development.

“The applicant undertook a sports sequential assessment which was submitted as part of the proposal.

“This assessment demonstrated that, despite the efforts of the landowners to sustain motorsport operations over the years, a combination of dwindling interest in the motorsports that are active at the site, and the limitations on use, have had a significant adverse impact on the viability of the venue to run for its original purpose.

“It can be concluded that there is scope to increase both participation and spectators at various raceways within a two-hour catchment area including Aldershot Stadium, Arlington Stadium, Mendips Raceway and Standlake Arena.

“Whilst we fully understand that existing users of the facility would prefer for it to remain and be subject to investment as a motorsports venue, that is demonstrably no longer viable, feasible or consistent with the extensive limitations placed on its operation by the council.”