Could Labour's Housing Agenda Threaten Kart Circuits?

Originally published on my Substack

As a handful of jubilant Labour supporters raise their glasses in celebration, I find myself mired in ambivalence. I have a rather a profound skepticism towards the bureaucratic inertia that defines our state. Regardless of the political party in power, the state always wins. However, Labour’s new housing agenda certainly has made me concerned for the future of some motorsport venues in the UK.

Now at the helm, Labour faces immense pressure to deliver on its ambitious promises. While I claim no expertise in the arcane intricacies of planning law, Labour’s recent commitments have piqued my curiosity, compelling me to explore a speculative but not entirely unfounded theory. Just last year, Labour proposed a significant overhaul of Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs), specifically targeting the removal of the Hope Value mechanism. This would enable local authorities to acquire land at its existing use value rather than its potential value, a shift designed to facilitate affordable development . Now, with Rachel Reeves, the new Chancellor of the Exchequer, committing to the construction of 1.5 million new homes, the implications for various land uses, particularly motorsport venues, could be profound.

Kart tracks are uniquely vulnerable in this new landscape. These venues, often situated on already developed land, present an attractive proposition for development. Unlike greenbelt or brown belt lands, which come with stringent regulatory hoops, kart tracks are free from such entanglements, making them prime targets for acquisition and re-purposing.

We have already witnessed this trend in action. Chasewater, once a vibrant karting venue, succumbed to the M6 Toll road development. Tilbury has been transformed into an Amazon warehouse. Birmingham Wheels has been embroiled in legal battles with the Birmingham City Council and is pretty much done. RAF Long Marston, a former motorsport venue, is being redeveloped into housing.

The appeal of motorsport venues lies in their pre-existing infrastructure. These sites, I assume, are less contentious to develop compared to untouched rural landscapes, facing fewer environmental objections and local resistance. As urban sprawl continues to encroach upon once-isolated areas, the pressure on these facilities mounts, leading to their gradual erasure.

Beyond the direct threat of CPOs, motorsport venues face a more insidious form of encroachment. Urban creep exerts a steady pressure, manifesting in increased noise complaints and restrictive ordinances that could, in time, render these circuits nonviable. This silent strangulation forces many operators into a corner, where selling the land becomes the only feasible option.

The demise of these venues represents more than just the loss of recreational spaces; it signifies the erosion of a cultural heritage. Kart tracks and motorsport circuits are integral to the sporting fabric of the nation. To see them disappear under the relentless march of development is to witness a diminishment of our sporting future. I write this as a warning for circuits to prepare for any legal challenges.

In the final analysis, the story of vanishing motorsport venues is not just a tale of loss, but a clarion call to action. It is a reminder that the spaces we cherish are worth fighting for, and that with determination and vision, we can create urban environments that honor our past while embracing the future. As Labour charts its course, let us hope that it does so with a keen awareness of the delicate balance that must be struck, and with a steadfast commitment to preserving the rich tapestry of our shared heritage.