A glimmer of hope for Swindon’s Abbey Stadium as land use unlikely to change in new plan

It appears that Abbey Stadium, used for greyhound racing and formerly speedway, has not been sold by Gaming International Limited to Legal & General Affordable Homes Ltd, as was initially thought, but used as security against finance.

According to Gov.UK – ‘A ‘charge’ is the security a company gives for a loan. For example, a mortgage is a type of charge.’

In a turn of events yesterday, it now looks increasingly likely that the council will guarantee that the Abbey Stadium site will remain designated for leisure and entertainment in the upcoming local plan and not be designated for housing.

On social media yesterday, Swindon Borough Council Leader, Jim Robbins, responded to a comment by Councillor Daniel Adams – suggesting that the council had previously refused to make a commitment to preserving the land use for leisure and entertainment. Robbins responded saying that the new cabinet had in fact discussed it and already made that commitment.

Whether this will be enough to secure the long-term future of Abbey Stadium remains to be seen. But for now, at least, there is some hope.