CIRCUIT OF WALES FINAL PLANNING APPROVED

The £315m Circuit of Wales project has been given the green light after the final planning issue was resolved

Having gone through several planning and public inquiry hoops the project from Heads of the Valleys Development Company has received Welsh Government approval on de-registering 830 acres of common land that covers the existing proposed site.

What is the Circuit of Wales?

The £315m Circuit of Wales project will bring an international motorsport circuit to Blaenau Gwent alongside a one million sq ft technology park and training facility.

The main race track is 3.5 miles in length and there will be additional smaller circuits for karting, motocross and 4x4.

Motor sports and automotive testing facilities, including a driver training centre and automotive proving ground are also planned.

A technology park and incubator, providing for research and development and support services across the automotive, clean-tech and high value engineering sectors, will also feature. The technology and industry park could provide, but will need planning approval, up to one million sq ft in space.

There are also plans for a 30 megawatt solar park from Chinese firm Hanergy, as well as two hotels.

Where will the Circuit of Wales be located?

The Circuit of Wales will be located north of Ebbw Vale close to the Rassau Industrial Estate. It will span 830 acres.

When will work begin?

It has been reported that work could start shortly, with plans in place to begin before Christmas 2015.

The company has already appointed Spanish construction giant FCC as the project’s main contractor, as well as Abergavenny-based civil engineering firm Alun Griffiths Contractors.

What sort of events should we expect to see there?

Those behind the development say on the official website that it will be "a major addition to Europe’s front-ranking motorsport facilities, designed to host international events such as MotoGP, World Superbikes, World Motocross and World Touring Car events."

The Circuit of Wales is set to host the MotoGP from 2017.

However, those behind the project say their "destination venues" will host a wide range of activities including festivals, concerts, triathlons and conferences.

Will there be job opportunities?

Heads of the Valleys Development Company said when completed the project, above Ebbw Vale and in one of the most economically deprived areas of the UK, will create around 6,000 full time jobs and attract 750,000 visitors a year.

Jobs will be in sectors including track stewarding, security, catering, retail, hotels, B&Bs and restaurants.

During the construction period around 3,000 jobs will be supported. It is projected that it will provide a £50m injection into the Welsh economy annually.

Those behind the project say there is a commitment to ensure over 90% of these jobs go to local people.

More information on job opportunities will be available when planning has been determined and bosses say job workshops will take place throughout the region.

How is it being funded?

The fundraising is being orchestrated by London-based Aventa Capital Partners, which is sponsoring the Heads of the Valleys Development Company.

It has already received £2m in repayable finance from the Welsh Government, which has supported the project to date. It is also currently in discussions with the Welsh Government over the potential of drawing down a further £30m, a combination of loans and grants, to help finance construction of Circuit of Wales.

The total amount the project is seeking to raise, with around £200m in equity and the rest in debt, is £315m. Based on £30m from the Welsh Government that will leave £285m having to be raised from financial institutions.

The project has yet to reveal the identity of potential investors, apart from saying there is strong interest, including from investors in the Far East.

It will have to move quickly after de-registration approval to finalise funding, so providing cashflow to start the construction process.

The aim is to have the track completed for the circuit to stage the British MotoGP in 2017. The entire development will be completed in 2020.

IMHO, this can only be good for Wales and the economy/profile of Bleanau Gwent

IMHO, this can only be good for Wales and the economy/profile ofBleanau Gwent

will have a lot of opposition from england as there has been already, jealousy abounds!!

IMHO, this can only be good for Wales and the economy/profile ofBleanau Gwent

will have a lot of opposition from england as there has been already, jealousy abounds!!

Absolutely, Allan

I'm an avid MotoGP and F1 fan and have close links to Silverstone Circuit and many there thought they would have the race "for the foreseeable" because they didn't think the Circuit of Wales would get off the ground

I love Silverstone and its motorsport traditions and I will continue to attend as many race formats there as I can. However, it is not the ideal MotoGP venue, as the track is designed for cars and not motorcycles

The Circuit of Wales is a 'purpose built' track and is designed specifically with MotoGP in mind. The motorcycling fraternity in Wales will support it in their many thousands and the only issue I can foresee will be getting a ticket for the opening races!

Was pleased when the plans came out a few years ago. Brilliant Cardiff aint getting it, would've been better in Bridgend mind considering we're inbetween the two biggest cities in Wales.

Superb news! At least the riders will get plenty of wet race practice. I've visited silverstone many times to watch MotoGP so can't wait for it to be held in gods country.

I'm not massively into motor racing but Moto GP I would love to watch!

Waste of money IMO, would prefer the money being spent on renovation of Barry Island, that Henry Danter is pumping money into it but the whole site looks a shit tip, they need a decent upto amusement arcade with some new bars and cafes, Marco isn't doing the business anymore, I'd be happy with John McCririck opening a Meet your meat cafe where you can meet the livestock before its slaughtered, £300+ million should sort it

IMHO, this can only be good for Wales and the economy/profile ofBleanau Gwent

will have a lot of opposition from england as there has been already, jealousy abounds!!

Absolutely, Allan

I'm an avid MotoGP and F1 fan and have close links to Silverstone Circuit and many there thought they would have the race "for the foreseeable" because they didn't think the Circuit of Wales would get off the ground

I love Silverstone and its motorsport traditions and I will continue to attend as many race formats there as I can. However, it is not the ideal MotoGP venue, as the track is designed for cars and not motorcycles

The Circuit of Wales is a 'purpose built' track and is designed specifically with MotoGP in mind. The motorcycling fraternity in Wales will support it in their many thousands and the only issue I can foresee will be getting a ticket for the opening races!

i believe COW have the contract already as Silverstone not fit for purpose and to costly to renovate, until COW is ready isn't it being held at brandshatch.??

IMHO, this can only be good for Wales and the economy/profile ofBleanau Gwent

will have a lot of opposition from england as there has been already, jealousy abounds!!

Absolutely, Allan

I'm an avid MotoGP and F1 fan and have close links to Silverstone Circuit and many there thought they would have the race "for the foreseeable" because they didn't think the Circuit of Wales would get off the ground

I love Silverstone and its motorsport traditions and I will continue to attend as many race formats there as I can. However, it is not the ideal MotoGP venue, as the track is designed for cars and not motorcycles

The Circuit of Wales is a 'purpose built' track and is designed specifically with MotoGP in mind. The motorcycling fraternity in Wales will support it in their many thousands and the only issue I can foresee will be getting a ticket for the opening races!

i believe COW have the contract already as Silverstone not fit for purpose and to costly to renovate, until COW is ready isn't it being held at brandshatch.??

No, mate. 100% Silverstone (I already have my tickets ordered) and it was Donnington that lost out. Never been a MotoGP race at Brands Hatch

You are correct in saying the contract is already signed with the Circuit of Wales and they 'outsourced' to Silverstone for three year up to (and including) 2016

I wouldn't say Silverstone "isn't fit for purpose" but it isn't a particularly bike-friendly track

Donnington would have been far more suited, but it was they who had a few 'issues' guaranteeing its viability

IMHO, this can only be good for Wales and the economy/profile ofBleanau Gwent

will have a lot of opposition from england as there has been already, jealousy abounds!!

Absolutely, Allan

I'm an avid MotoGP and F1 fan and have close links to Silverstone Circuit and many there thought they would have the race "for the foreseeable" because they didn't think the Circuit of Wales would get off the ground

I love Silverstone and its motorsport traditions and I will continue to attend as many race formats there as I can. However, it is not the ideal MotoGP venue, as the track is designed for cars and not motorcycles

The Circuit of Wales is a 'purpose built' track and is designed specifically with MotoGP in mind. The motorcycling fraternity in Wales will support it in their many thousands and the only issue I can foresee will be getting a ticket for the opening races!

i believe COW have the contract already as Silverstone not fit for purpose and to costly to renovate, until COW is ready isn't it being held at brandshatch.??

No, mate. 100% Silverstone (I already have my tickets ordered) and it was Donnington that lost out. Never been a MotoGP race at Brands Hatch

You are correct in saying the contract is already signed with the Circuit of Wales and they 'outsourced' to Silverstone for three year up to (and including) 2016

I wouldn't say Silverstone "isn't fit for purpose" but it isn't a particularly bike-friendly track

Donnington would have been far more suited, but it was they who had a few 'issues' guaranteeing its viability

New the contract was signed wasn't sure of circuits ::

IMHO, this can only be good for Wales and the economy/profile ofBleanau Gwent

will have a lot of opposition from england as there has been already, jealousy abounds!!

Absolutely, Allan

I'm an avid MotoGP and F1 fan and have close links to Silverstone Circuit and many there thought they would have the race "for the foreseeable" because they didn't think the Circuit of Wales would get off the ground

I love Silverstone and its motorsport traditions and I will continue to attend as many race formats there as I can. However, it is not the ideal MotoGP venue, as the track is designed for cars and not motorcycles

The Circuit of Wales is a 'purpose built' track and is designed specifically with MotoGP in mind. The motorcycling fraternity in Wales will support it in their many thousands and the only issue I can foresee will be getting a ticket for the opening races!

i believe COW have the contract already as Silverstone not fit for purpose and to costly to renovate, until COW is ready isn't it being held at brandshatch.??

No, mate. 100% Silverstone (I already have my tickets ordered) and it was Donnington that lost out. Never been a MotoGP race at Brands Hatch

You are correct in saying the contract is already signed with the Circuit of Wales and they 'outsourced' to Silverstone for three year up to (and including) 2016

I wouldn't say Silverstone "isn't fit for purpose" but it isn't a particularly bike-friendly track

Donnington would have been far more suited, but it was they who had a few 'issues' guaranteeing its viability

New the contract was signed wasn't sure of circuits ::

Another white elephant........all the jobs will be part time, agency, minimum wage. What a waste of money, why don't they invest the money trying to get some decent manufacturing jobs in growth industries, which would be long lasting and pay decent wages.

Another white elephant........all the jobs will be part time, agency, minimum wage. What a waste of money, why don't they invest the money trying to get some decent manufacturing jobs in growth industries, which would be long lasting and pay decent wages.

A job is a job, fella, and the interest and development opportunities to come from worldwide exposure will further place Wales and (in particular) Blaenau Gwent in a great position for future investment in both heavy and light industry, as well as in the leisure sector

Why knock it????

Another white elephant........all the jobs will be part time, agency, minimum wage. What a waste of money, why don't they invest the money trying to get some decent manufacturing jobs in growth industries, which would be long lasting and pay decent wages.

Once again Denzil is ranting about something he has absolutely no clue about. Do you know how many jobs would come of this ? I'd suggest that you pop to Silverstone and see how much that makes its local economy including the factories and offices on business parks around the track!!!

Same as your in-educated rant about the London Olympics last week. You simply haven't got a clue!!!

In fact Im furious Merthyr Council didn't take this up personally. Not many know that on projects like this it would have been offered to all the councils in the area and then offered to the one who basically puts the best offer in or tender as we in the private sector would say so I'm furious that Merthyr didn't make a better fight for it. It's all well and good having a new shops etc but this type of project would really make a statement. Well done to all concerned

Another white elephant........all the jobs will be part time, agency, minimum wage. What a waste of money, why don't they invest the money trying to get some decent manufacturing jobs in growth industries, which would be long lasting and pay decent wages.

Once again Denzil is ranting about something he has absolutely no clue about. Do you know how many jobs would come of this ? I'd suggest that you pop to Silverstone and see how much that makes its local economy including the factories and offices on business parks around the track!!!

Same as your in-educated rant about the London Olympics last week. You simply haven't got a clue!!!

In fact Im furious Merthyr Council didn't take this up personally. Not many know that on projects like this it would have been offered to all the councils in the area and then offered to the one who basically puts the best offer in or tender as we in the private sector would say so I'm furious that Merthyr didn't make a better fight for it. It's all well and good having a new shops etc but this type of project would really make a statement. Well done to all concerned

Listen fella im making a comment so don't get personal with me, how do you know how educated I am ?

Another white elephant........all the jobs will be part time, agency, minimum wage. What a waste of money, why don't they invest the money trying to get some decent manufacturing jobs in growth industries, which would be long lasting and pay decent wages.

Once again Denzil is ranting about something he has absolutely no clue about. Do you know how many jobs would come of this ? I'd suggest that you pop to Silverstone and see how much that makes its local economy including the factories and offices on business parks around the track!!!

Same as your in-educated rant about the London Olympics last week. You simply haven't got a clue!!!

In fact Im furious Merthyr Council didn't take this up personally. Not many know that on projects like this it would have been offered to all the councils in the area and then offered to the one who basically puts the best offer in or tender as we in the private sector would say so I'm furious that Merthyr didn't make a better fight for it. It's all well and good having a new shops etc but this type of project would really make a statement. Well done to all concerned

Listen fella im making a comment so don't get personal with me, how do you know how educated I am ?

Yes I agree you are making a comment but even coming from me you just see the worse side of everything even when the clear facts are there for all to see. I don't know your personal life and if you have any personal reasons which is why you seem to be always a cynic but f**k me it's not hard to educate yourself of the background of similar projects in which you comment on and the end results of them. You really have a shortsighted view on projects whereas in the longer term those same projects will self raise funds for the areas you hold close to your heart like schools, NHS and so on.

This is the main problem with Wales is that people refuse to see long term and its that attitude which has held Wales back for years. Rather than complaining about the mines being closed (which to be honest many weren't even alive at those times and European enviromental laws which have closed them by now anyway) let's look forward and stop this short termisum because that's what the politicians want you to think as they only thing which is on their mind is the next elections and never further than that and the Welsh people fall for that trap more than any IMO.

Last edited by Military Junta on Thu Nov 19, 2015 6:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.

More public money to squander on a race track in Ebbw Vale £32 million and cut public services that’s the policy in Wales.
As the LG failure in Newport and what ever happened to the thousands of jobs predicted in Valleywood?
Now more public money in Ebbw Vale WHY they are closing sports centres , which local people use,for lack money and then funding a racetrack that is a spectator sport unless you have wads of cash.So we sack people from one leisure industry that local people use and put them into this race track for the rich boys with toys to race around while we serve hot dogs. None of the teams will relocate to any new technology park because they have spent years building there base around the part of middle England where they can get engineering staff and test cars.What I’m trying to say is that these leisure projects don’t offer full time employment and good wages, if we have government money to invest we should be trying to get more long term manufacturing jobs .

More public money to squander on a race track in Ebbw Vale £32 million and cut public services that’s the policy in Wales.
As the LG failure in Newport and what ever happened to the thousands of jobs predicted in Valleywood?
Now more public money in Ebbw Vale WHY they are closing sports centres , which local people use,for lack money and then funding a racetrack that is a spectator sport unless you have wads of cash.So we sack people from one leisure industry that local people use and put them into this race track for the rich boys with toys to race around while we serve hot dogs. None of the teams will relocate to any new technology park because they have spent years building there base around the part of middle England where they can get engineering staff and test cars.What I’m trying to say is that these leisure projects don’t offer full time employment and good wages, if we have government money to invest we should be trying to get more long term manufacturing jobs .

Short termisum again. Right look at the LG plant then and yes I would agree wth you that at the time it did seem to be a complete waste of money but the same site has now been spilt up and rented out to 4/5 different companies and with that there has been a knock-on effect with more businesses opening up in the area. Now years on I would very much doubt that if you looked at the figures the area of where the original plant has easily gone into profit and as a result paid the public back in some form or another.

I don't know much about the Valleywood project to comment.

Believe me Silverstone and other older tracks arent the best area logistics wise and 'if' it proves a winner than I have no doubt the engineering firms would take a good look at relocating.

More public money to squander on a race track in Ebbw Vale £32 million and cut public services that’s the policy in Wales.
As the LG failure in Newport and what ever happened to the thousands of jobs predicted in Valleywood?
Now more public money in Ebbw Vale WHY they are closing sports centres , which local people use,for lack money and then funding a racetrack that is a spectator sport unless you have wads of cash.So we sack people from one leisure industry that local people use and put them into this race track for the rich boys with toys to race around while we serve hot dogs. None of the teams will relocate to any new technology park because they have spent years building there base around the part of middle England where they can get engineering staff and test cars.What I’m trying to say is that these leisure projects don’t offer full time employment and good wages, if we have government money to invest we should be trying to get more long term manufacturing jobs .

Short termisum again. Right look at the LG plant then and yes I would agree wth you that at the time it did seem to be a complete waste of money but the same site has now been spilt up and rented out to 4/5 different companies and with that there has been a knock-on effect with more businesses opening up in the area. Now years on I would very much doubt that if you looked at the figures the area of where the original plant has easily gone into profit and as a result paid the public back in some form or another.

I don't know much about the Valleywood project to comment.

Believe me Silverstone and other older tracks arent the best area logistics wise and 'if' it proves a winner than I have no doubt the engineering firms would take a good look at relocating.

I don't want to be negative......I hope this track and more importantly the technology and business parks around it succeed, ive worked in Aerospace for nearly 34 years with various companies and that sector dominates the welsh economy now, whereas it was a dot on the landscape when I joined it, so im not against new ideas or new industry. I hope you can come on here in 8 years time and tell me I'm (in educated) nobody would be more delighted than me.

Fantastic news Sven. You got to laugh at those who object and want a community to remain one of the poorest in the UK. This will rejuvenate the area with thousands of jobs giving hope to youngsters in the area. Bring it I say

Fantastic news Sven. You got to laugh at those who object and want a community to remain one of the poorest in the UK. This will rejuvenate the area with thousands of jobs giving hope to youngsters in the area. Bring it I say

This.

Fantastic news Sven. You got to laugh at those who object and want a community to remain one of the poorest in the UK. This will rejuvenate the area with thousands of jobs giving hope to youngsters in the area. Bring it I say

This.

Will never be part time jobs,with the gp,wsb,bsb going on,plus these race levels testing,tyre company's testing,and that's just the bikes.Cars may bring touring car championships,Renault series plus others.,and maybe even a f1 race,called the European f1 race,the opportunity,s for this circuit is endless and Motorsport engineering company's may sprout up around the circuit perimeter ,in all boys it's brilliant ,and it's in WALES.It will be a change for me from Aberdare Park.Moto gp usually has 100,000 crowds,plus this year Danny Kent is the first Gp champion since Barry Sheene.

Fantastic news Sven. You got to laugh at those who object and want a community to remain one of the poorest in the UK. This will rejuvenate the area with thousands of jobs giving hope to youngsters in the area. Bring it I say

100% with you, Nukes!

Some people just seem to have a 'downer' on every little possible bit of positivity to come to Wales and its regions!

I know I'm biased as a motorsport fanatic (and former participant) but this just has to be good for Blaenau Gwent (not my home region, so no bias on that front!) and Wales in general!

MotoGP on our doorstep is massive for the economy and for the credibility of Wales; recognised as one of the more rapidly developing countries in Europe DESPITE SOME OF ITS NEGATIVE INHABITANTS!

Still believe this money should be pumped into Barry Island, the meet your meat cafe needs to happen, can you all imagine meeting Chloe the cow before she's butchered infront of your eyes then slapped into a bun ready to devour.

I like the idea of a cafe called Eat and retreat, fastest food in the south, order, made, f**k off ... next customer.

Wolfie I guess you don't know about the new resort and hotel planned for Barry Island and to be honest the council tax from everyone else in the Vale is being put towards Barry ffs!!

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales ... d-10458614

To be honest not a motor sport fan but the fact there are going to be job opportunities and something globally appealing coming to a deprived neglected area gets the thumbs up from me. To people who don't use the heads of the valleys regularly the duelling of the road still ongoing will not make the circuit as unreachable as before. Good news for Blaenau Gwent and good news for Wales.

To be honest not a motor sport fan but the fact there are going to be job opportunities and something globally appealing coming to a deprived neglected area gets the thumbs up from me. To people who don't use the heads of the valleys regularly the duelling of the road still ongoing will not make the circuit as unreachable as before. Good news for Blaenau Gwent and good news for Wales.

Spot on!

Well done to the Welsh Gov as I know they have backed it with investment.

I believe the owners of the English tracks went moaning to UK Gov about it and tried to get it stopped. It is nice to have people working in our interests for once.

Having a modern track in Wales can only be a good thing