Kempton saved from housing development

RACING at Kempton could be assured for the foreseeable future after the Jockey Club announced it has submitted plans for a smaller-scale residential development on part of the racecourse estate.

In January 2017, the Jockey Club unveiled a shock proposal to close the London venue, with the land submitted for consideration following the local authority’s ‘call for sites’ to address local housing needs.

The decision caused huge dismay in the racing world, with trainer Nicky Henderson fearing it would be “a nail in the National Hunt coffin” if the track were to close.

The initial plans included moving the King George VI Chase to Sandown and building a new all-weather track near Newmarket.

However, Spelthorne Borough Council did not include Kempton on its “preferred options” for consultation at the end of last year and the Jockey Club, along with developer Redrow Homes, has now submitted a revised plan which would not affect the racecourse, alongside the original scheme.

A statement from the Jockey Club explained the new proposal “would involve only previously developed land and would retain all racing facilities to continue as today, including both the jumps course and all-weather track.”