PLANS to redevelop Sedgefield racecourse took a step forward this week as owners Northern Racing Ltd lodged a planning application with Sedgefield District Council to build an all-weather, artificial racing surface.
If all goes to plan, the new £4m development could be ready by the summer of 2004.
The introduction of the new artificial surface at Sedgefield will add more than 50 Flat meetings to the current 22 jump racing meetings a year.
Simon Clarke, Northern Racing's deputy chairman, said: "We've been thrilled with the response from local businesses as well as racehorse trainers across the North since we first indicated what our ideas were earlier this year. These are hugely exciting investment plans. Pubs and hotels would all reap the spin-off benefits, as would the town of Sedgefield itself, helping to put it on the map as a recognised sporting venue."
The new one mile, one furlong all-weather circuit would be built inside the current turf National Hunt track
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