New Racecourse for Wales The granting of planning permission for a new 16 million-pound racecourse at Ffos Las in West Wales means that it is hoped to stage the first meeting at the venue in August 2005.Work will now commence on transforming the former Open Cast Mining site near Trimsaran, Llanelli currently littered with abandoned vehicles, into one of the first racecourses to be built in the UK for 75 years.Detailed plans for this phased development show facilities for Flat and National Hunt racing, trotting, show jumping, 3 day events and a major equestrian centre of excellence. It is anticipated that an All Weather racing circuit will stage up to 30 meetings a year of which ten have already been granted by the BHB.Huw Richards of Walters Group who will develop the racetrack termed the work that faces his company as a ‘massive challenge’, but that it would be ‘well within the expertise and capacity’ of those involved. He also commented that it has been especially encouraging the response of Carmarthenshire County Council – saying ‘their enthusiasm has matched ours, since discussions began’.It is stated by backers of the project that ‘surrounded by the hills of the Pembrey Peninsula, the area enjoys a benign climate, ideal for horse racing, and unlikely to be the victim of cancelled meetings’. They add, ‘the all weather track will be a significant attraction to Irish stables and trainers’.
