A COVENTRY Observer ‘Save Our Bees’ campaign survey of residents shows they DO want the speedway team back at their traditional Brandon home and not houses – despite contrary claims by the site’s owners.
The result of our survey further exposes claims by Coventry Stadium owners Brandon Estates that local residents want new houses built at the site ‘as soon as possible’.
The survey was conducted at the weekend, and follows Brandon Estates’ submission to Rugby Borough Council to build 250 homes by altering the Local Plan, which provides a blueprint for development over the next two decades.
If successful, Brandon Estates’ plans would end decades of sporting history at the site.
Supporters of the Bees and members from the Save Coventry Speedway campaign gathered outside the stadium’s main entrance on Sunday afternoon (October 1) in response to our call for fans to help with a residential survey.
The survey asked three ‘yes or no’ questions including:
1. Have you ever watched speedway, stock car, or greyhound racing at the stadium since living in the area?
2. Would you welcome the development of 250 homes in place of Coventry Stadium as a racing facility?
3. Do you feel security at the site is an issue following multiple break-ins?
The survey was organised following a statement released by Brandon Estates to the Coventry Observer on June 10 this year.
The statement claims that following a break-in into the stadium’s car park by travellers, residents wanted the stadium to be demolished in place of housing as soon as possible.
It reads: “The local community is living in fear. Brandon Estates has every sympathy with members of the local community who are forced to endure these problems.
“Brandon Estates have been urged by local residents to build new homes on the site as soon as possible.”
But following our survey of 94 Brandon, Rugby Road, and Binley Woods residents, we can reveal a staggering 93 per cent DO NOT want Brandon Estates to develop 250 houses on their doorstep.
We can also reveal a massive 91 per cent of residents believe security at the stadium is an issue. Even after break-ins, the stadium’s main gate is only secured by a four-digit padlock.
Last week, Rugby Borough Council issued Brandon Estates with a formal notice after security and site maintenance concerns were raised by local residents.
For more on our ‘Save Our Bees’ campaign, tweet us on @covobservernews and use the hashtag #SaveOurBees.
SURVEY RESULTS:
Question One: Have you ever been to watch speedway, stock car, or greyhound racing at Coventry Stadium since living in the area?
Yes – 79 (84 per cent)
No – 15 (16 per cent)
All 94 residents we surveyed answered this question.
Question Two: Would you welcome the development of 250 homes in place of Coventry Stadium?
Yes – 6 (Seven per cent)
No – 87 (93 per cent)
One resident did not answer this question.
Question Three: Do you feel security at the site is an issue?
Yes – 74 (91 per cent)
No – Seven (Nine per cent)
13 residents did not answer this question – the majority of those 13 residents were neither for or against either answer.
