Great Leighs has been given the go-ahead for Britain's first new racecourse since the 1920s
The British Horse Racing Board (BHB) has granted a licence for the venue removing the final barrier to the project.
Work can now begin on the all-weather oval circuit, grandstand and 20-stable training yard.
BHB Chief Executive Greg Nichols, who chaired BHB's New Racecourse Fixtures Committee (NRFC) which evaluated the application, said: "It is very exciting for British Racing that we now have the prospect of Britain's 60th racecourse and the first new racecourse in this country for over 75 years.
"BHB has continually emphasised that our sport is thriving, constantly modernising itself and capable of attracting a high level of entrepreneurial interest."
It was expected that the British Horseracing Board would approve the Great Leighs new racecourse at a recent meeting.
But one member raised a query and insisted the decision was deferred until he got the answers.
Two other racecourses which had been asked to submit applications were told to take their applications away until they had gained planning permission.
Now the licence has been approved by the board building work on the £40 million Great Leighs track can proceed with the probability of racing from autumn 2004.
A new Essex County Show will be postponed until 2005 as construction works would preclude its coming back in 2004 says Great Leighs Racing.
For more on this story see tomorrow's Evening Gazette and this week's Essex Chronicle
Published Tuesday, June 24, 2003
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