The team behind the proposed new racecourse at Great Leighs has completed two property deals which will add a further 80 acres to the site.

The new all-weather track is being developed by John Holmes at the 165-acre former Essex County Showground, near Chelmsford.

Mr Holmes has acquired more than 30 adjacent acres to the south-east, and concluded an agreement to get back 45 acres to the north-west.

It is thought the extra land will be used for additional car parking, plus paddocks supporting the Great Leighs racehorse training yard.

John Holmes, owner, said: "Local residents have given us fantastic support and I am mindful of my pledge to cause them minimum disruption.

"The extra car parking eliminates the chance of tailbacks on major racing days, which is good for the locality and means that visitors won't have memories of sitting in a queue."

The site, currently being developed, is scheduled to become Britain's first new racecourse since 1927. The planned one-mile oval racing circuit could enable Great Leighs to stage trials for the world's richest races.

Published Monday, November 15, 2004

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