On yer bikes!

Abbey Stadium owners and developers Thistle Land want to put 350 homes, shops and a new £6m stadium close to the existing site off the A419 near Blunsdon.

But the Swindon Robins speedway team, which meets at the stadium, would not be welcome at the new site.

The existing stadium described as "past its sell by date" would be pulled down and replaced with a new facility, minus the speedway track.

It would be smaller and include greyhound racing, bars and venue hire.

The stadium's owners Gaming International say residents don't want to be near a noisy racetrack.

They have suggested the Swindon Robins speedway team could move to one of the company's other stadiums in Reading.

But team owner Terry Russell says the sport's governing body would not allow the Robins in to Reading, which already has a team.

Gaming International chief executive officer Clarke Osborne said the Robins would no longer be welcome at the new Abbey Meads stadium.

The company backed Swindon's unsuccessful bid for a casino licence.

Mr Osborne said Gaming International would be keen to bid for any future licences but said the next round was expected to be at least eight years off.

"We would remain very keen to build a casino," Mr Osborne said.

"We think it sits very well with a race course. There's another eight years in the cycle. We will still be around."

Mr Osborne was adamant that if another facility could not be found for the Robins, "speedway in Swindon will be no more".

"Speedway racing is an environmentally difficult sport," Mr Osborne said.

"All our consultation over the past six months says to us is that speedway is not acceptable on that site.

He said there was no reason why the team could not move to Reading, followed by supporters who could make the trip down the M4.

He said the long-term greyhound kennels would go, to be replaced by short term, race day accommodation.

Mr Osborne said the greyhound racing would not be interrupted, with the new, smaller stadium finished before the existing track is pulled down.

"Swindon is a major supplier of racing to bookmakers by satellite," Mr Osborne said.

Robins owner Mr Russell said the team could not move to Reading.

"It's a non-starter," he said. "Under the rules of our sport, it can't happen.

"We can't move to Reading. It has a speedway team already."

Mr Russell said the team rents the track.

Asked if they could be kicked out, he replied "we'll see".

"There's no comment from me while I look at it all," Mr Russell said. "We are the second largest sport to the football ground. You can't turn around and tell Swindon Town football team they can move to Chippenham."

Mr Russell said the team held 25 Thursday night races at the ground every year, attracting between 2,500 and 3,000 to each meet.

The ground first hosted speedway racing in 1948, long before any houses were built nearby, Mr Russell said.

He added that he had only heard of the plan on Thursday and was still considering his options.

Thistle Land managing director Eric Petrie hoped residents would welcome housing and mixed use in place of the present light industrial zoning.

He said the development could start as early as this time next year if the council approvals went smoothly.

Abbey Meads councillor Justin Tomlinson said it was essential residents got along to the consultation meetings and made their feelings known.

"This is a potential major development for my ward and it is vital as many local residents take part in any consultation and help shape this development," Coun Tomlinson said.

"Potentially, residents will be keen to avoid the industrial development which we expected on this land, however we must study the detail.

"Major improvements will be made to a facility but the speedway will go."

The plans will go on display at Christ the Servant Church, Abbey Meads from 11am 7.30pm on July 25.

A proud history

SWINDON Robins were launched on July 23, 1949.

Their first meeting was a local derby against Oxford Cheetahs in a grand challenge match to mark the official opening of the Abbey Stadium.

Among the club's highs was the league title in 1967 and included stars such as Barry Briggs, Martin Ashby, Mike Broadbanks and Bob Kilby.

They were also in the old style one-off world finals at Wembley and numerous venues abroad.

Abbey Stadium has also hosted international racing events.

Last year, the track was the venue for the opening round of the 2005 Speedway World Cup.

The pacy Abbey Stadium track has been used for British World Championship qualifying rounds, Test matches, riders' championships and BSPA fours and pairs championships.

Prior to the 2005 World Cup opener, big international meetings at Blunsdon were the test matches featuring Great Britain and the United States each year between 1980 and 1985 and again in July 1989.

Swindon Robins returned to the top flight in 2004 under the ownership of Terry Russell.