Jockey Club outlines next steps following successful “Playing Our Part” consultation

25/08/2022

The Jockey Club updates today that having reviewed feedback from the “Playing our part in Newmarket’s future” consultation earlier this year, the concepts consulted on for the area known as “Racecourse Side” have been submitted for consideration as part of the ongoing West Suffolk Local Plan process.

Three-quarters of consultation respondents said they were in support of the overall concept for the area to the northeast of the town, ideas for which included a country park at Seven Springs, a new all-weather racing and training facility and potential residential development at Pinewood Stud.

Other comments received during the consultation which had over 300 attendees and 2,500 website visits between 28th March - 22th April included concerns around increased traffic, the need to protect biodiversity at Seven Springs and ensuring any homes created are affordable for Newmarket’s workforce.

A concept for a cinema at The Subscription Rooms which was presented as part of the consultation is not subject to the Local Plan process. Preliminary investigations to see whether the project may be viable are ongoing.

The Rowley Mile racecourse has also been included in the submission to create the option for long term infrastructure improvements in the future.

Amy Starkey, the Managing Director for the Jockey Club’s East Region, said: “Having reviewed the feedback from the consultation in the last few months and continued to engage with the stakeholders across Newmarket and beyond in that time, we believe there is sufficient merit in the ideas for Racecourse Side to submit them to West Suffolk’s Local Plan for further consideration.

“All that means is that the land may receive what is known as ‘preferred site’ allocation, which would allow things to progress more easily should the decision be taken to move any of them forward in the future.

“We are a long way from making those decisions and while feedback from the consultation was very positive overall, we also recognise the need for further review and discussion on the proposals,

“We want to continue to have those discussions with everyone in and around Newmarket and we will continue to do so whilst the concepts are being considered by West Suffolk between now and next year, and beyond that.

“These are ideas for the long-term future of the town and its world leading thoroughbred industries and none of this is going to happen overnight, if it happens at all.

“What we hope we have shown since these concepts were first shared is that we are committed to listening, engaging and being transparent about what is happening, and that is an approach which is here to stay.

“We will provide further updates as soon as there are any and if anyone has any questions or would like further information then please don’t hesitate to contact us.”

Anyone who wishes to receive further updates can sign-up via www.letsplayourpart.co.uk/feedback.