THE go-ahead has been given for a new speedway and greyhound stadium at Blunsdon.

Stadium owners Gaming International expect work to start soon after reserved matters were resolved with Swindon Borough Council.

The development will include a play area for youngsters, a racing building, training kennels and market. It is expected that 62 people will work there full-time - 20 more than at the moment.

A total of 479 parking spaces will be provided on-site for events; with 251 parking spaces around the stadium and 228 overflow parking spaces located nearby.

Clarke Osborne, Gaming International chief executive, said: “We are delighted to have permission granted and are keen to get underway with the construction of this new facility for Swindon.

"We have plans to keep the disruption to our customers at a minimum during the construction and I ask that everyone allows a little more time to arrive and park when attending a function.

"I would like to thank Councillor Toby Elliott and the excellent team at Swindon Borough Council who have remained supportive throughout this necessarily complex planning process and I have particular thanks for Justin Tomlinson MP, who’s encouragement and desire to make things happen has been a key element in this long journey to develop a new leisure facility here in Swindon.”

Work will start soon and contractors are expected to hand it over to Gaming International in March 2017.

The company says the existing stadium will continue to operate whilst the new stadium is under construction and a move to the new facility is planned for April 2017.

"Extensive plans have been made to provide for “business as usual” during the construction and the stadium promotions of greyhound racing, speedway racing and the Blunsdon indoor/outdoor market will be maintained without interruption," says the company.

North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson said: “This has indeed been a long road, but we are finally at the point of starting work on a new stadium and I want to thank everyone concerned in getting here.

"This is a prime example of the council working closely with operators and developers to make things happen and bring brand new, modern leisure facilities to Swindon. I made a commitment as a councillor, back in 2006 that the council would support this venture and they have delivered.

"It is very exciting and I look forward to the opening next year.”

proposed £5m Abbey Meadsstadium over safety fears if there was a blaze.

An updated application has been submitted to the council for the new greyhound and speedway racing arena in Lady Lane, but in a letter sent to planning officers,

In July Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service had recommended the application should not go ahead until changes are made.

The service cited a ‘failure to adequately mitigate the impact on the fire authority’ or ‘promote the development of a safe community’ and say building should not start until there a proper water supply and fire hydrants for use in the event of fire.

But Blunsdon Parish Council supported the plans, saying: “Councillors agreed to support as they are unaware of any planning reason to object.”

An outline application was first approved by Swindon Borough Council in September 2008 for the demolition of the current stadium to build the new one, the aim of the work being completed by the 2010 speedway season.

But it was brought back to the planning committee and re-approved in 2010 after the recession halted the previous plans.

The proposal has been tweaked over the years, by developers Gaming International, including in 2012 and earlier this year regarding issues such as noise control.

In May a new track design was submitted, as well as a plan on how traffic flow will be managed among other aspects, such as a public footpath from Lady Lane.

Gaming International is the parent company of Stadia UK which also operates a racing stadium at Poole in Dorset.