Bid to save greyhound track could be in vain

A CAMPAIGN to save Birmingham’s Hall Green greyhound racing stadium has suffered a major setback after it emerged the council could lose a legal appeal if it blocks the plan.

Planning officials found the case against plans to demolish the greyhound racing stadium was flimsy and could be overturned on a legal appeal to the government planning inspector.

Developer Euro Property Investments, which bought the stadium for £3 million in 2014, wants to tear it down and build 210 houses on the site.

Last month, opponents of the demolition, backed by Hall Green MP Roger Godsiff, appeared to be on the brink of victory after planning committee members voted nine to two against approving the redevelopment.

But now, in a follow-up report ahead of the next committee meeting on July 21, several claims by objectors about jobs and the economic have been missed.

They claimed that 200 jobs depended on the stadium, but the report, based on evidence from Greyhound Racing Association’s public accounts, said the number of full-time jobs was between 18 and 40, rising to about 100 with part-time roles, such as stewards and catering staff, on race nights.

While recognising there may be further kennel and bookmaking jobs linked to the stadium, the report stated the case for loss of employment was “not substantial”.

Independent analysts have also concluded that the 15 per cent affordable housing offer, below the standard 35 per cent demand, was reasonable.

Supporters of the stadium piled into the last planning meeting and cheered when councillors voted down the housing scheme. value of the facility challenged and dis-