Plans for £1m racecourse project

Detailed plans for a £1 million development at Ludlow Racecourse have been announced. The plans are for a two-storey building which will include a bar, restaurant and roof terrace.

There will also be a space for the race judge and stewards and for photo finish and TV cameras.

Bob Davies, racecourse clerk, said: "We are looking at putting up a building which will provide a new bar and restaurant area for members only with further hospitality on the floor above and a roof terrace for members.

"It's a question of improving facilities for visitors.

"The members' facilities are too crowded.

"When they were put up there was plenty of room but they can't cope with the busier days now," he added.

An application for planning permission for the development has now been submitted to Shropshire Council, the local planning authority.

The development, planned for between the original main stand and the Clive Pavilion, is the latest improvement which has been planned for Ludlow Racecourse, following the construction of the Jubilee Stand in 2001.

The integrity tower, which currently houses the race judges and stewards, will be demolished and incorporated into the new building, with an extra floor and its own rooftop viewing facility.

The cost of the project is expected to be about £1 million and the plan is to complete the building work between May and October next year.

Gareth Proffitt, council spokesman, said that it was hoped a decision on the application would be made by the end of next month.