From the " Scene " ..Arc have applied for planning permission to build new dog track at Wolverhampt

* Wolverhampton.

Arena Racing Company (Arc) has submitted a planning application to develop a new greyhound racing track at Wolverhampton racecourse that it hopes will become a "landmark venue" for the sport.

The move comes as the noose tightens around Perry Barr greyhound track, which is operated by Arc.

It is understood that a pre-planning application submitted by the Corbally Group for 660 residential properties on the Aldridge Road site occupied by Perry Barr stadium is about to reach the public consultation stage. A switch of venue to Wolverhampton racecourse, less than 15 miles away, is now officially in the offing.

Arc has worked with consultants from Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI) on the application to City of Wolverhampton Council, which includes a new state-of-the-art racing surface, located within the current oval horseracing circuit at Wolverhampton.

It is proposed that STRI would oversee the development of the track, with similar race distances to Perry Barr, and ancillary facilities including kennels will be installed alongside the existing horseracing infrastructure.

In addition to the onsite Holiday Inn hotel, Wolverhampton racecourse has a wide range of hospitality facilities, including a panoramic restaurant with uninterrupted views of the racing action.

Mark Spincer, managing director of Arc's racing division, said: “We're delighted to submit this planning application to City of Wolverhampton Council and look forward to working with planners on its development.

“Our aspiration is that Wolverhampton can become a landmark venue for greyhound racing, not just in the West Midlands but nationally.

"Greyhound welfare is a hugely important aspect of our business and we're grateful to STRI for their significant input into the proposal.

"We look forward to working with them and the Greyhound Board of Great Britain on making sure that any new facilities offer the highest possible welfare standards."

This was from a piece written just last year.

The team currently working at Perry Barr are, after all, considered to be among the best in the sport.

“I want people to know that we have the best team, the best facilities, the best running surface for the dogs,” Anthony said.

“Some of the team have a happy demeanour about them because they’re enjoying it, and they’re seeing the rewards because we’re getting these big competitions.”

Those competitions are forever improving. The calendar is glittering, particularly at this time of year. Only a couple of weeks ago, Candy Man claimed the Birmingham Cup with a 28.10-second run. On the same night, Space Jet broke the track record to win the St Ledger, one of the sport’s classics.

Ongoing at the moment is the Oaks, deemed to be the most prestigious race in greyhound racing aside from the Derby, and the final - worth £15,000 - takes place at the end of this month.

“Some of the dogs turning up here...you don’t get any better,” Anthony reasoned. “It is that good and it’s really exciting.”

The welfare of the animals is of course paramount and ARC and the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) have an injury recovery scheme in place - the IRS provides additional financial support for any veterinary fees in addition to there being an ever present vet at every track, who checks on each dog before and after the race.

In an industry getting back on its feet after a lay-off, Perry Barr is flourishing under relatively new management and their schedule is as impressive as ever.

I've been to Wolverhampton races a few times, both day time and evening, and the facilities there are very good. As a potential greyhound stadium I would say it would work extremely well so here's hoping it does materialise.

Positive is that it is at an Existing sporting Venue  , that IMO is all ,we don't need anymore dog tracks TBH , if this Track will attract the Public all well and Good

If not what is the Point  ? More cannon fodder Racing , do we not already have enough of that ?  and thousands of Retirees who need homing ,and not enough dogs to fill

races .Seems the last thing we need to be Doing ,Ownership must now be at an all time Low  .. What is the point of  it all ?

the whole sport needs a massive reset ,but that will not happen as this sport does not run its sport .

Seems to me that ARC is just replacing Perry Barr with Wolverhampton.  As case says the loss of a good running track too.

We know what ought to happen case but I fear it's far too late now to repair the damage.  Hopefully I will be proved wrong though.

Lots of potential problems at Dunstal, close to canal, condensation freezing ground  in winter. But welcome the idea, it is possible Monmore could close?