Ebbw Vale Jul 07-2013– The Circuit of Wales, a new £280m multipurpose development in Ebbw Vale, Wales, has been granted outline planning approval by Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council. It will be delivered by the Heads of the Valleys Development Company Ltd. It is estimated that some 750,000 people will visit the completed facility each year and it is expected to generate £50m per annum for the UK economy.
The 830-acre development will represent the UK’s largest ever privately led capital investment programme in motor sport-related infrastructure and will provide significant and sustainable employment opportunities in the UK. The project showcases a new partnership model in which private investment and government come together to enable delivery of a major regeneration initiative. Construction is due to start in late 2013.
An anticipated 3,000 new jobs will be created during the construction phase, with between 4,000 and 6,000 new jobs once the development is complete. This transformational investment project will have a positive impact on the local community and economy, with the development providing the impetus for the long-term economic regeneration of the region.
The first phase of the multipurpose development will be the construction of an international specification motor racing circuit, including a hotel and commercial and retail complexes. The state- of-the-art facility is due to be completed in 2015/16. It is designed to host international motor sport events and will be a centre for motor sport-related industries. It will include a 3.5-mile track that takes advantage of the unique topography of Ebbw Vale, a Motocross track, an international karting track and off-road driving facilities.
The automotive park will be one of the world’s leading sustainable developments, targeting the growth of low-carbon industries and events. It will be a hub for research and development companies that are seeking to push the boundaries in environmental technology and energy solutions. The park will showcase the latest technologies that capture and generate energy for the facility.
A race academy and training facility to develop future Welsh and UK talent will work in unison with the motor racing circuit. Commercial, industrial and leisure developments will be at the heart of the project, providing opportunities for the growth of advanced engineering, technology, education and sustainable transport-related businesses.
Michael Carrick, Chief Executive of the Heads of the Valleys Development Company Ltd
“I’d like to acknowledge the tremendous support of the local community of Blaenau Gwent and the Welsh Government. We promise to deliver a truly innovative and sustainable business, helping to deliver long-term economic and social benefits for the region.
It is a hugely important development, not just for the regeneration of Blaenau Gwent but also for the UK economy, and will enable significant private capital to be mobilised. This is a showcase for a new type of investment model, a partnership between private investment and government to deliver a transformational business to the region.”
Jonathan Jones, Head of Training and Recruitment of the Heads of the Valleys Development Company Ltd “The Circuit of Wales will mean the creation of some 3,000 construction jobs for South Wales as well as 4,000–6,000 new full-time jobs when the track is completed in 2015/16. The project will change the outlook and aspirations of thousands of young people across the Blaenau Gwent community and give them opportunities for training and careers in retail, services, technology and the automotive industry.
Through the creation and support of apprenticeships and local education initiatives, the Heads of the Valleys Development Company is committed to ensuring that a high percentage of these jobs will be sourced from the local Blaenau Gwent area.”
Dylan Hurter, Youth Ambassador for the Heads of the Valleys Development
“It’s been an amazing experience to be a part of such an impressive project. As youth ambassadors, we assisted the team in community consultations so we’ve seen first hand what this project means to people from the local area. People of our age in Blaenau Gwent don’t get these sorts of opportunities very often, if at all, but that will change with Circuit of Wales. It gives young people in this region more motivation to do well in their education if they know there will be jobs for them at the end of it.”
Professor Garel Rhys, Professor of Motor Industry Economics and Director for Automotive Industry Research at Cardiff Business School
“This development is a modern 21st century facility that is going to push the boundaries of sustainable automotive development in Wales and the UK. It is hugely important, not just for the regeneration of the Blaenau Gwent area but also to position South Wales as one of the leading automotive industry centres in the UK.”
Carmelo Ezpeleta, Chief Executive Officer, Dorna
“It’s fantastic. I think this is a very important programme for MotoGP and for motor sport in general. It is good for the area and good for the community, and the team behind it will have whatever help they need from us. We have already been working with them and we will continue to do so.”
