The £100m redevelopment of Donington Park is set to go ahead after the proposals were granted planning permission yesterday. The circuit’s owner, Simon Gillett, now has 17 months to complete the first part of the project before the British grand prix is held there next year.
North West Leicestershire District Council voted unanimously in favour of the proposal, which will see the track extended and the construction of a new pit and paddock complex, media and medical centres, clubhouse and suites at Redgate, Starkeys and Craner Curves.
Max Mosley yesterday kept up the pressure on formula one teams to reduce costs and provide better racing for spectators as he warned job losses may be necessary in the sport.
Gillett now has 17 months to complete phase one of the project prior to Donington staging next year’s British Grand Prix.
Gillett, via his company Donington Ventures Leisure Ltd, signed a 10-year agreement with Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone last summer after Silverstone stalled over a new deal.
Silverstone, which has staged the British Grand Prix since 1987, is due to host its final race in June before Donington Park ushers in a supposedly new era for the event.
“I’m over the moon,” said the track’s co-owner Simon Gillett, chief executive of Donington Ventures Leisure Ltd. “It’s the end of six years of hard work, and the beginning of probably six years more hard work.
“But I’m elated, relieved, all of the above. I couldn’t be happier, and from tomorrow morning it’s shovels at dawn and away we go.”
“It starts in earnest now, and time to start focusing on 2010 and delivering the best grand prix in the world.
“That is what I’ve always said we would deliver, and that is what we are going to do.”
Gillett has not yet clarified exactly how he intends to fund the development – and there remain serious doubts over his company’s ability to get the project completed in 17 months. He has until this September to satisfy Bernie Ecclestone that plans are on course or risk losing their 10-year contract to stage the race.
“We will definitely be celebrating tonight,” Gillett exclaimed. “This is a major step forward and one more target delivered. I remain committed to approaching every stage of this development with the same passion and vigour with which we attacked the planning stage and I have endeavoured to ensure that the same is true of the people who will work with me on this project.
“My eye is always on that fixed end date of July 2010. I remain confident and positive that we can and will achieve everything that we have promised and I won’t rest until I am watching the British Grand Prix at Donington Park next year.”
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