SPEEDWAY'S return to South Dorset stepped up a gear today after plans were unveiled for a new track at Buckland Ripers near Chickerell.

The proposals, which have been submitted to West Dorset District Council, include a 270-metre track, a new access road on to Nottington Lane, hospitality and referee boxes, a track shop and banking for spectators.

And if given the green light by planners, the new venue could be hosting Conference League action as soon as this Easter, according to promoter Brian White.

The Weymouth businessman and former rider said: "Two years hard work has gone into preparing these plans and I'm delighted that they have now been forwarded to the council for consideration. I've already received a few knock backs in trying to bring speedway back to the area and so I've learnt not to take anything for granted.

"But I'm satisfied that every possible stone has been unturned and that what we're proposing is both beneficial to the sport and to the local community.

"The site at Buckland Ripers is set a fair way back off the road and is a long way from the nearest residential dwelling. It is in a dip, which will help negate the noise of the engines, and our initial investigations suggest that the impact of traffic will be minimal.

"The track itself will be well sheltered by a nearby wood and existing trees and hedgerows and this will be supplemented by the planting of others in the vicinity. The plans also include provision for portable buildings only and so there is a fair amount of flexibility should the need arise."

He added: "Obviously I'm hopeful of success because it would prove a massive boost to the area in terms of publicity, tourism and bringing much-needed money into the local economy.

"The speedway authorities are behind us all the way and we've been inundated with letters and messages of support since the news was first presented in the Dorset Echo a few weeks ago. If all goes well then Chickerell will have a team competing in the Conference League this coming season and that's a tremendously exciting prospect.

"At the end of the day, we're talking about a couple of hours racing a week during the summer months. We've got the support of speedway fans, the land owner, the sport's administrators, sponsors and other clubs - all we need now is the support of our own local authority.

"I'm not asking for a single penny in cash, just the chance to do something good for the area."

White, who last year had to abandon plans to build a circuit on quarry land at Portland after it was deemed to be an area of outstanding scientific importance, will give both fans and objectors the chance to study the plans in detail at a Fans' Forum to be held at the Willowbed Hall in Chickerell on Friday, January 17 (7.30pm).

He added: "Former Weymouth speedway stars will be there and hopefully we can answer any queries and worries that people might have."

If speedway is to roar back to South Dorset by the summer, a lot of work will have to be done in a short space of time to get the venue ready for racing.

The season gets underway in the middle of April, but West Dorset District Council chief planning officer Simon Ludgate says a decision is unlikely to be taken before the second week of March.

He explained: "The speedway plans have been submitted to the council and so now begins the usual process of registering and advertising them.

"A 21-day public consolation period will then follow and details will then be sent out to the relevant parish and town councils for consideration.

"After that, they are due to go before the Development Control Committee East for approval or rejection. The committee next meets on February 13 although it's more likely that they will be discussed at the March 13 meeting."