14-04-2004
Launch of New Manchester Race Course at Salford Forest Park

Peel Holdings revised and improved plans for a new racecourse were unveiled in the presence of two of the biggest names in racing and eventing – Willie Carson and Lucinda Green

New Manchester Racecourse will be built at Salford Forest Park, west of Manchester. It will bring horse-racing back to Manchester after a 40-year absence. The former racecourse at Castle Irwell held its final meeting on 7 November 1963 ending 87 years of racing history.

Manchester racecourse will bring all weather racing to the North of England for the first time, accommodating flat racing on grass and all-weather tracks. A stunning new grandstand has been designed to accommodate 6000 spectators.

Willie Carson said:
“Peel’s plans for Manchester racecourse will be a great boost for Horse Racing. All weather racing, which is set to become even more important in the UK, will arrive here in the Northwest with this exceptional facility. This will add tremendously to this region’s great horse racing tradition and will attract an international flavour”:
In addition to the racecourse there will be an international standard eventing course.

Lucinda Green added:
“Peel’s plans for Eventing will offer superb facilities and bring international competition, which is much in demand here in the North west. This summer in Athens gives our Eventing team one of the best chances for a British team gold in the Olympics and Salford Forest Park can play a vital role in developing our future Olympians.

Peter Nears Strategic Planning Director of Peel Holdings said: “Over the last few years Manchester has led the country in developing sporting facilities. The Commonwealth Games provided a real boost to the City and Manchester Racecourse will complement these facilities and build on Manchester’s world-wide reputation as a city of sporting excellence”.

Manchester Racecourse is however only one element in what will be a major recreational and tourism attraction.

Peter Nears added: “Salford Forest Park is more than a racecourse and will provide opportunities for a number of recreational, and leisure pursuits for the people of Greater Manchester and beyond,”

The scheme will bring 1690 acres of land privately owned by Peel into public use to create a truly unique Forest Park.

A Forest Park Visitor Centre will form the core of excellent leisure and educational facilities. These will include a Timber Initiative Centre, Eco Village showing practical innovations in sustainable living, a children’s forest play space and a woodland wildlife centre which will explain the flora and fauna to be found in the woodland. A high-level woodland walk will enable visitors to gain a birds-eye view of the forest.

Botany Bay Wood, the largest woodland area in Greater Manchester lies at the heart of Salford Forest Park. The area is an important area for herons and other species. The removal of shooting activities (clay pigeon and paint ball) and the introduction of a management control scheme will decrease the amount of human disturbance within Botany Bay Wood much of which will become a dedicated nature reserve.

Other leisure facilities at Salford Forest Park include an 18-hole golf course, and hotel. The main feature will however be the woodland perspective and there will be around 11 miles of cycle trails, 8 miles of riding trails and 20 miles of footpaths.

Total building footprints within the Salford Forest Park site will occupy only 0.5% of the total land area including those existing buildings that will be retained.

A new planning application will shortly be submitted to Salford City Council, replacing an application submitted two years ago.

“The new application accommodates many changes from the previous one. We consulted widely following that application and we listened carefully to what was said. The revised plan reflects the views that we obtained through the consultation process” said Peter Nears.

www.salfordforestpark.co.uk

for more information please contact:
Alison Tennant
Peel Holdings

Tel: 0161 629 8229

Email: atennant@peel.co.uk