ARENA Racing Company remain committed to staging all-weather racing at Newcastle despite the British Horseracing Authority’s decision not to grant an exemption to allow racing to take place under floodlights at Gosforth Park in 2015.

The rules of racing stipulate that in each day’s programme of racing, there must be two races of a mile or upwards of the minimum aggregate distance of two and a half miles and as Newcastle’s current proposal for a converted all-weather track only includes floodlights over a straight mile, an exemption was required.

Objections were raised last week by the Horsemen’s Group at the prospect of the track being granted an exemption and an online petition was also launched by the National Trainers Federation in opposition to the principle of the turf track being converted to a Tapeta surface by ARC.

As the BHA has decided not to grant the request, Newcastle will be ineligible for floodlit fixtures in the second half of 2015, but ARC remain confident of racing taking place on an artificial surface the following year.

A statement on www.arenaracingcompany.co.uk read: “Arena Racing has reiterated its commitment in the company’s £10m investment plan for Newcastle Racecourse.

Under ARC’s management, Gosforth Park will be transformed into a global sporting venue with the introduction of a new all-weather track and additional improvements to enhance the experience for all racegoers.

“The planning application for a new floodlit all-weather surface on the flat track and enhanced racing facilities, including a glazed tiered restaurant, was unanimously approved by the Newcastle City Council Planning Committee in April. Following this the BHA gave permission for Newcastle Flat turf fixtures to be transferred to the all-weather surface upon completion of the new track.

“Since the start of 2014 ARC had been in discussions with the BHA regarding the proposed race programme at Newcastle. As part of these discussions ARC put forward proposals to ensure that the current balance in the race programme could be maintained across afternoon and twilight fixtures at Newcastle on the all-weather track.

“In light of today’s unwelcome delay in the project ARC remains committed and confident it can resolve race programme issues with the BHA, as well as owners and trainers. ARC will continue to work to ensure Newcastle’s all-weather track will host fixtures as part of the 2016 Fixture List.

“ARC has had a positive dialogue with the BHA, the Newcastle City Council and the Newcastle business community.”