A group of campaigners for stock car racing have condemned Merton Council and the Mayor of London for ‘ignoring’ their concerns about the future of their racing track in Plough Lane.

The current track in Wimbledon Stadium, described by campaigner Michael Burnage as “the diamond in our sport”, is likely to be demolished to make way for a new stadium for AFC Wimbledon, after the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, handed the decision over the stadium back to Merton Council.

August 22: 'All systems go': Sadiq Khan hands back Plough Lane AFC Wimbledon stadium decision to Merton Council

Merton Council, who approved planning permission for the 20,000 seater stadium – beginning as 11,000 – as well as a range of flats and amenities on the site in December last year, are due to reaffirm their decision later this month.

Wimbledon Times:

An artist's impression of the stadium from Sheppard Robson Architects

However, stock car supporters have said they were kept in the dark about the plans to demolish the stadium – which is the last stock car track in London - until it was too late. They have accused Mr Khan and the Leader of Merton Council, Councillor Stephen Alambritis, of ignoring their repeated requests to meet.

Stock car racer and campaigner, Peter Gray, said: “Despite repeated approaches and even a social media campaign, neither Cllr Alambritis nor Sadiq Khan will speak to us.

“Immediately that we became aware of the imminent threat to our sport at Plough Lane, we mobilised ourselves into an action group. Through our website and an online petition we have garnered the support of over 12,000 people opposed to the plans, and yet still both politicians consider us as unimportant to the process.

“Instead of speaking to us to listen and understand our concerns, we have been swatted away like a fly. It is this disrespect to not only ourselves but to the democratic process that has us so incensed. Why they think that such a lack of transparency is acceptable beggar’s belief.”

He added: “We will continue to challenge the legitimacy and morality of the process being overseen by those in Merton Council with their own agenda.”

August 31: Wandsworth Council demand secretary of state intervenes over Plough Lane after Sadiq Khan hands decision back to Merton

Mr Burnage said: “Prior to last December’s meeting of the planning committee, we had no idea this was on the cards.

“For people to make public statements about there being a full consultation was just an absolute sham. It’s nothing more than smoke and mirrors. We have been desperate to speak to them but they give us nothing.

“This track is the last in London. If we were to lose it, not only would we lose the capital’s connection to stock car racing but we would also lose a large part of our history.”

However, Cllr Alambritis has disputed their claim, and said: “We have worked very hard at involving all organisations in the consultation process, giving current tenants – including the stock car tenants, businesses and residents – every opportunity to voice their opinions and speak to our officers directly about the proposals.

“After two extensive public consultations, 9,000 letters, public notices put up on site, two public forums and a public planning application meeting with extensive press coverage, it would be verging on the impossible for any organisation interested in this site or using the site not to know about the application or how to make their views known to us.

“We have always said that this site should be used for sporting intensification and that the squash and fitness club should be retained. Beyond that, it was for applicants to submit a viable planning application to develop the site, and the only one submitted to us for consideration was from AFC Wimbledon.”

The Mayor of London’s office has been contacted for comment