GO-AHEAD FOR TRACK EXPANSION:
THE expansion of a racing circuit has been given the green light by planning chiefs, providing a substantial boost for a development that hopes to attract an extra 40,000 visitors a year.
Earlier this year, Anglesey council received a planning application, from the operators of TracMon, for substantial improvements to the Ty Croes circuit.
They believe these could boost Anglesey’s economy to the tune of £2 million a year.
It has now been confirmed council officers have approved the plans without the need to go in front of the planning committee, on the condition certain guidelines are met – including starting the work within a five-year period.
The circuit, which recently had its 25th birthday, began life during the late 1980s when a local farmer sought permission to test his rally car on the site of the former Ty Croes military base, near Aberffraw. Going on to host its first motorcycle race in 1992, it was fully licensed in 1997 for car and motorcycle races and now also hosts a racing school.
But according to track
bosses, the expansion would help the circuit “to compete and compare favourably with other motor racing circuits in the UK and internationally” and create 44 construction jobs.
Planned works include a redesign of the track to allow for new kinds of races, an extension of the paddock, garages and hospitality suite and cafe facilities, but grant funding is understood to be needed before the project can be completed.
The planning statement with the application notes: “In the recent past a number of events which would have been extremely beneficial to the circuit and Wales as a whole have declined to come to Trac Mon, citing lack of hospitality resources as the main reason.
“It is estimated that these events alone would have generated over £600,000 for the local economy, supporting 9.5 full time equivalent jobs. Additionally, some of the largest current events that the circuit hosts are considered ‘at risk’ due to a lack of investment in appropriate facilities.
“The location, whilst it has extraordinary advantages in terms of the setting and atmosphere, is peripheral to the rest of the UK,” the supporting statement goes on to say.
“Nearly all customers will have to make a longer journey to Anglesey than they would to competitor circuits such as Oulton Park in Cheshire.
“Whilst the location is an advantage, decisions regarding the siting of events are more likely to be driven by core considerations including price, track configuration, paddock, garaging and supporting facilities such as accommodation/catering and hospitality opportunities rather than the setting.
“Trac Mon therefore needs to offer better facilities and core offer than its competition.”