World Rallycross venue Lydden Hill plans major facilities upgrade

The Kent circuit, owned by multiple British Rallycross champion Pat Doran, has submitted a planning application to Dover District Council that includes the erection of a part two-storey, part three-storey spectator hospitality building, two grandstands, and a two-storey building comprising competitor hospitality, administration and scrutineering facilities.

The proposal also includes new two-storey engineering units and a site entrance building.

The use of an existing but currently unused entrance is proposed to alleviate current issues of traffic backing up onto the A2 on busy race weekends.

Lydden Hill, which is currently restricted to 52 'noisy days' a year due to complaints from local residents, is regarded as the 'home of rallycross', having staged the category's first ever event on February 4 1967.

First established as a major motorsport venue in 1955, it currently holds rounds of the British and World Rallycross Championships, along with club circuit race meetings for bikes and cars, drifting and track days.

In the lead up to the AUTOSPORT World RX of Great Britain in 2014, the circuit built a new startline control tower.

The new application proposes the circuit and its new facilities should be used for additional non-motor racing activities, such as learner driving schools, police driver training, bicycle training and racing, track days (including corporate and experience driving days) and non-driving based events such as car shows, craft fairs and hot-air ballooning.

The plans have been drawn up by London-based architect and designer Alexander Sedgley Ltd, which anticipates construction work beginning as early as next year if the planning application is successful.

The circuit is appealing for expressions of support from the motorsport community via the district council's website or in writing with the reference DOV/15/00827.