21/01/2009
NEWS STORY
A Government report on the proposal scheme to completely update Donington in order that it can host the British Grand Prix is highly critical virtually accusing those involved of being naive.
The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment's (CABE) review of the proposed at Donington Park claims it shows "a poor understanding of the site and the opportunities it offers".
Earlier this month, North West Leicestershire District Council gave circuit owner Simon Gillett the go-ahead for the planned upgrade to the circuit and its facilities, after his company signed a ten-year deal to host the race from 2010.
However, CABE's review, which took place in December, is highly critical of proposed improvements to the track by (F1 circuit) architects Tilke GMBH.
"We think Donington Park could provide an exceptional setting for the British Grand Prix and we welcome the proposal to develop new facilities for Formula One on this site to represent Great Britain on the world stage," read the report. "However, the scheme reflects a poor understanding of the site and the opportunities it offers."
The report warns that unless a comprehensive masterplan and landscape strategy were present in the redevelopment, Donington Park would "continue to suffer from piecemeal and poorly co-ordinated racetrack development".
The report continued: "The material presented gave us little confidence that a bold architectural vision had been developed for this facility to showcase Britain's racing pedigree and create at Donington Park a racetrack of global standing to match Formula One's most recent tracks in Bahrain, China and Malaysia designed by the same team that are working at Donington.
"The proposal represents a missed opportunity for Donington Park and we urge the design team to address the concerns raised below before planning permission is granted.
"Without the benefit of an overarching plan that pro-actively considers the long-term implications of hosting Formula One alongside other international racing events, the likelihood is that Donington Park will continue to be developed in a haphazard, piecemeal fashion."
Gillett says he was aware of CABE's findings and its recommendations at the time of the North West Leicestershire District Council planning hearing and insists that many of the issues raised were considered within their own planning phase and will be addressed on an ongoing basis.
"While we recognise CABE's expertise on design and town planning, Donington Park is not a town, and our singular aim - to become the world's leading race circuit - led us to appoint the world leader in F1 circuit design," said Gillet, according to Reuters.
"Tilke GMBH is a company that has worked on the majority of outstanding motorsport circuits worldwide and understands the requirements and compromises that have to be made to deliver a fully functional, workable, deliverable and yet still very striking Grand Prix circuit.
"Ultimately, our aim is the same as it has always been: to deliver on time and to the highest standards of quality. The proof of that will be on the completion of the project in 2010, rather than on flat drawings in a design office."