Falcons Future Plans

MESSAGE FROM ALLEN TRUMP
I'd like to give Exeter supporters an update of where we are: On Thursday 22 Nov the Geotec land survey was completed on the new site which now means that the stadium layout can be completed and hopefully the second and revised Planning Application will now be submitted within the next three weeks.

Much of the accompanying paperwork will be a variation of the original application and therefore we're already 75% of the way there. Running multiple businesses is something I've successfully managed for many years so running more than one track does not present problems for the development of Exeter.

Both the Jockey Club (owners of Exeter Racecourse) and Colin Hill's Estate are still fully supportive and are as eager as the rest of us to return the Exeter Falcons to the speedway family, where it belongs.
The return of Exeter has become an emotional crusade for many of us and we will succeed so please keep the faith.

Taken from the Express & Echo & This is exeter by Martin Downer

Falcons set sights on a 2008 return

Exeter speedway promoter David Short has set his sights on returning the Falcons to league action in 2008.

The Falcons, who have been homeless since leaving the County Ground a year ago, had their slim hopes of a 2007 return dashed on Thursday.

That was because the Natural England group - formerly English Nature - insisted they must carry out a summer survey of wildlife in the area surrounding their proposed new track at Exeter Racecourse on Haldon Hill.

This latest setback has ensured the Exeter team will spend at least two years out in the wilderness - but Short remains upbeat about the club's long-term future.

“We had quite a positive meeting with English Nature. I wouldn't say they are opposed to the speedway going there," he said.

"But we have got to do the environmental impact survey, which means we won't be running next year, although it was getting quite tight for that anyway. I'm confident for 2008. I'm confident the track licence will be safe remaining with (former backer) Terry Russell for the time being, until we're ready to go.

“Terry is fully behind Exeter speedway and we're confident everything will still be in place when we're ready to start in 2008.

"I think the survey will be finished in the early part of the summer and that will give us time to get final planning permission from the council, tell the BSPA that we want to run and to build the stadium."

Speedway has been running in Exeter since 1929 and last year's farewell to the County Ground meeting attracted more than 5,000 people to the historic venue.

Short is hopeful the crowds at Haldon Hill will be even bigger than those seen at St Thomas .

"Overall I'm happy. It would have been nice to have run next year, but it's not going to be the end," he said.

"Other tracks - Plymouth being a prime example have been closed for far longer and the fans still turn out.

"Admittedly there will be people who went to the County Ground who won't go to the new track. But there will also be others who didn't go to the County Ground but will go to Haldon. We are building a nice stadium that we will have control over and the facilities will be as comfortable as possible for fans. We want a track which provides first-class racing, something the County Ground seriously lacked."