Fans of Cradley Heathens Speedway have been dealt another blow as their long-held dream to have their own speedway stadium in Dudley borough has been dealt another blow. The Council has omitted any plans for any potential new stadium sites from its 10-year Dudley Borough Development Strategy.

Speedway fans have bitterly complained about the lack of any stadium provision and have sought sites in (Dudley borough) centres but none have been designated despite being vacant for many years to no avail.

Dudley Council responded to the complaints. A spokesman said: “The provision of land for leisure and recreational use is dealt with through a criteria-based policy approach and not through specific site allocations.

“This is so as not to sterilise the potential development of such sites by setting them aside for specific or specialised allocations.”

He added: “Good accessibility is an important factor in the location of new sports facilities and stadiums as such uses generate large amounts of traffic and parking at peak times.”

Last October the club saw the death knell of a possible site for a stadium which it had been working on for three years since the Heathens’ sensational return to racing. The site, close to the Merry Hill Centre, was reserved for another project, which Dudley Council has advised has every chance of going ahead.

When Dudley Council mooted the idea of developing greenbelt land near the M5 for an industrial park, the Heathens registered an interest in building a stadium but however, the plans were scrapped.

After one year competing at Perry Barr Greyhound Stadium, the club is now back racing in Wolverhampton in the National League.