Ascot drop plans for hotel

Ascot have dropped plans to include an integrated hotel in its grandstand as part of the £180m (€259m) redevelopment work scheduled for the Berkshire track.

Chief executive Douglas Erskine-Crum said the idea had been abandoned due to “green belt concerns”.

“The redevelopment of Ascot Racecourse is vital to ensuring Ascot’s standing as the finest racecourse in the world,” he said.

“During discussions with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead it has become apparent that, due to green belt concerns, the resolution of issues relating to the hotel will take considerable time and might delay our ability to proceed with the redevelopment within our proposed timescale.

“Our overriding priority must be the racing operation.

“Whilst we do not rule out incorporating a hotel at the racecourse in the future, we have decided to omit the hotel component in the current planning application and now hope to gain planning approval as soon as possible.

“Our aim is that the Royal Borough will reconsider the amended application later this summer.

“This would enable us to complete the redevelopment in time for the 2006 Royal Meeting, which has always been our priority.

“Our architects and planners are working on the revised detailed submission, removing the integrated hotel from the raceday hospitality facilities on the course facing west.”

The Royal meeting in 2005 looks almost certain to be moved to another track although an announcement is not expected until later in the year.