British circuit hasn’t even applied for planning permission

The 2010 British GP at Donington is less than two years away, but the North West Leicestershire district council is yet to receive planning applications from the operators of the track. Hmm, is that the smell of petty bureaucracy in the air?

Wee Bernie Ecclestone has warned that he would not hesitate to drop the British GP from the calendar if the owners of the circuit don’t get their act together.

“We have not yet actually received the planning application although we have been talking through the project with the race promoters during the phase prior to last week’s official announcement,” council spokesman Ian Hill told The Guardian.

“Obviously we have little experience of a project on this scale and once we become involved we will be looking at it from an overall viewpoint, talking to the owners on an ongoing basis,” Hill continued. “Our approach will be dictated by the need to get things right for such a major global sporting event, while at the same time addressing whatever needs and concerns arise among the local residents.”

Yeah, you might want to get a move on chaps. And I doubt that Bernie gives one shit about the local residents - he just wants a race that Britain can be proud of, at a circuit with decent access and facilities. Sadly, given this nation’s ability to royally cock up major projects, there may be trouble ahead.