LYDDEN DENIED PLANNED UPGRADES
Lydden Hill’s ambitious plans for a £6 million investment to help the circuit grow and develop for the future were refused by Dover District Council’s planning committee at a meeting last Thursday.
The original plans were submitted in 2015 and there have been many re-submissions required in the meantime.
The proposal included provision for grandstands, two new hospitality buildings and an admin block, a new scrutineering bay, 14 engineering workshops and improved access from the A2 motorway.
Extra “non-noisy” days would have allowed for police advanced driver training, cycle racing, show-jumping and other similar events to supplement the current track activities.
“Obviously we’re upset that the committee are small-minded in the way that they thought we could manage things going forward, but we proved that we’re basically good people over the last couple of years and everyone seemed to be happy,” said Lydden owner Pat Doran. “I’ve now got to spend a few months thinking what the way forward is for the circuit.
“I’ve got no intention of stopping at the moment, with the support that Lydden’s got around the world with rallycross and club racing, I couldn’t do it. It doesn’t earn any money but as long as it breaks even, we’d be happy with that.
“There’s definitely more things we could do going forward, we’ve probably spent about £300,000 over the last 18 months developing things like toilets and cafes and it’s made it a more friendly place to be.”
The hearing attracted plenty of attention. The usual council chamber was full to capacity and an overflow of 25 people had to be accommodated in an adjoining room with an audio link.
Racing returns to Lydden Hill on July 8 with a meeting organised by the Classic Touring Car Racing Club. Two more meetings remain after that in August and November.