The owners of the Silverstone circuit, home of Formula One's British Grand Prix, have confirmed their plans to build all manner of crap next to track in the future, after lodging a planning application for their latest developments.
The continued push to completely revitalise the Silverstone circuit was confirmed in a press release from the track on Friday, which outlined the plans for the future.The new planning application has been submitted to allow the construction of a business and technology park alongside the track, as well as an 'education campus', three hotels, a museum, an outdoor stage, a karting track and a bust of Damon Hill. Possibly.
The plans also include a move to improve on the current setup of grandstands, bridges and access tunnels at the circuit.
This latest building work comes after the redesigned 'Arena' circuit layout debuted in 2010, and the new Silverstone Wing pit and paddock complex, complete with the new start/finish line before Abbey, came along for 2011.
Speaking after the announcement, the track's managing director Richard Phillips said that the new building work was the "most important" move the track had mever made.
"This is the most important initiative that Silverstone has taken in its 60 year history," he said, controversially choosing this over the time they agreed to re-locate the Portaloos round at Copse.
He went on: "Things have changed dramatically since the early days.
"Approval of this planning application will help maintain Silverstone's position as a leading global centre for sport, leisure, education and technology and support its vision of becoming a World leading motor sport destination."
Chairman of the BRDC Stuart Rolt added: "The submission of this planning application is a big step forward in releasing the commercial potential of Silverstone and its 760 acre Estate.
"The timing of this planning application is closely linked into the process we are currently undergoing to seek potential investment from third parties that will enable us to move forward with our plans more rapidly."
It was unclear from the press release when exactly Silverstone planned to have the work completed, but they did confidently predict that the building work required on the site would create 8,400 permanent jobs for the region, as well as 550 temporary construction positions.
Silverstone secured a new 17-year deal to host the British Grand Prix back in 2010, following the collapse of Donington Park's own plans to revamp itself and host the race.
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