The fate of Kempton Park Racecourse in Surrey hangs in the balance once more, as a bitter dispute emerges over plans to redevelop the historic site into thousands of new homes. At the heart of the controversy is a planning application reportedly set to be submitted this year, according to local MP Lincoln Jopp.
However, Barratt Redrow, the housebuilding company with an option to redevelop the site, has swiftly refuted these claims, stating they have "no plans" to submit a planning application in 2023. The firm's denial comes after Jopp met representatives from both Barratt Redrow and The Jockey Club, the current owners of Kempton Park, as part of his efforts to inform local residents about the development.
This latest twist adds fuel to an ongoing saga that has plagued Kempton Park for years. In 2017, The Jockey Club first announced plans to sell the site for housing development, but faced fierce opposition from horse racing fans and professionals alike, as well as local residents. The proposal was ultimately shelved in early 2020, only for the prospect of redevelopment to re-emerge in late 2025.
The controversy surrounding Kempton Park's future is further complicated by a 10-year option agreement negotiated by Barratt Redrow with The Jockey Club in 2018. This deal effectively hands control over the site's future to planners and developers, rather than its current owners.
The ongoing uncertainty surrounding Kempton Park coincides with significant changes to national planning laws. The Government's Planning and Infrastructure Act aims to streamline housebuilding across the country, potentially paving the way for large-scale developments like the one proposed at Kempton Park.
Spelthorne Borough Council is currently engaged in a 'Call for Sites' process, which invites landowners and developers to submit details of land suitable for development. This has added to the complexity of the situation, leaving stakeholders waiting with bated breath for further updates from Barratt Redrow and Spelthorne Council.