The plans were a culmination of several years hard work after the site had been identified by consultants and thousands of pounds spent on preparing reports and surveys to support the application. However, prospective promoter Tony Mole has made the following statement:

"Following a meeting with Dudley Council officials on the 3rd December 2007, my company has reviewed the prospects of the Oldnall Road Planning Application.

"After seeking discussions with them for over six months, the meeting finally clarified the full list of Council stipulations. These were considerably more extensive than previously indicated in correspondence and included the potential provision of a large additional payment to them, which would have made the project uneconomical. In addition, the likely restrictions on development would have made it impossible to provide the standard of facilities that supporters have a right to expect.

"Whilst we still feel that Oldnall Road could provide an acceptable location for the reintroduction of Speedway, this would require the full support of the Council and it became clear at the meeting that we were very unlikely to achieve this. On that basis, we have reluctantly decided to withdraw the Planning Application.

"We would like to thank the Feoffees of Oldswinford School for their cooperation and patience and C.R.A.S.H. and the Supporters of Cradley Heath Speedway for their hard work and tireless efforts in support of the Application."

With local councillors and residents speaking out against the proposal, but many backing the return of speedway elsewhere in the borough of Dudley, Bob Edwards says that it is now time the Council showed their true support;

“Whilst we are extremely disappointed that the Application has been withdrawn, we would like to thank Tony for his hard work and investment in trying to achieve a solution over the last few years. This result, and the rejection of other more suitable sites such as Dudley Zoo, Castlegate and Yorks Park, is a clear indication that it is difficult to succeed in such a venture without the cooperation and leadership of the Council.

"The Unitary Development Plan requires the Council to “encourage and facilitate” the development of a Stadium for the Borough. The need for such a facility for Speedway and other uses clearly remains and is supported by the 10,000 signatures we have recently collected to support the reintroduction of Speedway to the Borough. We will now be seeking a commitment from the Council to take the lead in identifying a solution, which can deliver their UDP Commitment.”

Another prominent figure who has recently spoken out on the debate is Stourbridge MP Lynda Waltho. She commented on the news, saying “Whilst I am pleased that the Planning Application will not be proceeding on the Oldnall Rd site, I would like to see Speedway return to the Borough at a more suitable location. It is part of the Council’s responsibility to plan for the future of the Borough and a Stadium would be a tremendous asset to the leisure industry in the area and give Dudley a chance of making its way back onto the national and international sporting stages. I will seek an assurance from the Council that they will take this aim forward.”

Battling Heathens fans must now take in the bitter blow and decide upon the best way forward in order for the famous club to return to its rightful home. The thousands of signatures collected on petitions to support the return remain valid and indeed crucial to further developments. Both paper and online versions support the general principle to 'Bring Back Cradley Speedway' as well as the application. We continue to encourage all supporters to be collecting further signatures and require all completed sheets to be returned to the address printed on the bottom.

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