Warwick ‘Friends’ petition has doubled expectations

But this will not stop a full debate on any future development of the historic common land which the group expects when it submits more than 1,100 names on a petition.

Nigel Hamilton, who chairs the group, has been an unashamed thorn in the side of racecourse bosses ever since they tried, and failed, to build a hotel near the entrance gates.

On Tuesday Mr Hamilton said: “We welcome the invitation we’ve now received to speak directly to the district council’s executive committee on October 1.

“We want to call on councillors to protect St Mary’s Lands from any further development that would impact on its open nature.

“There are strong feelings in the town that our local parks must be protected for free recreational use - and the biggest users of St Mary’s Lands are members of the general public.”

After making their case, and hearing the district council’s fears of losing the racecourse and the need to make more use of the land - Mr Hamilton and his group hope to have a better idea about the way forward.

But he said: “We still want a full debate, perhaps at the council meeting in late October, when we demand that any future manaagement plan recognises that this land was Warwick’s common for hundreds of years and has an existing management plan adopted by the full council in 2005.”

In recent times two working party groups have been set up, facilitated by the Jockey Club’s own consultants with a financial contribution from district coffers. A hotel was still being considered.

But in the Racing Post this week, course manager Huw Williams says the hotel idea has finally been laid to rest.