Donington gets thumbs up from EIA

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) carried out behalf of the Donington circuit, which is scheduled to take over the British Grand Prix from 2010, reveals that noise levels in the area will increase but the boost to the local economy will outweigh the disadvantages of the redevelopment the local council insists.

The Derby Evening Telegraph reports that the South Derbyshire District Council believe that the £100m project will bring benefits to the area and that a final decision on Donington’s planning application is expected next Thursday.

"The development offers substantial economic opportunities," said Director of Community Services Mark Alflat. “The Grand Prix has the potential to attract both visitor spend and inward investment. New facilities, along with associated developments, will create substantial construction employment opportunities."

"This would bring new investment and highly-skilled employment opportunities to the area," he added.

The circuit redevelopment will increase local noise levels the environmental survey suggests but Alflat insists that “there are a small number of areas which could experience notable changes in noise levels."

The 2010 British Grand Prix will be a car free event with fans taking public transport for the final stint of the journey to the East Midlands venue.

"We are confident we have the planning in the bag," stated circuit boss Simon Gillett.