Barratt Redrow, the housebuilding company holding an option to redevelop Kempton Park racecourse in Surrey, has denied a claim by local MP Lincoln Jopp that a planning application to bulldoze the historic home of the King George VI Chase to build more than 2,000 homes will be submitted this year.
According to a report on the Racing Post's website on Friday, Jopp, the Conservative member for Spelthorne, told a meeting of local residents on Thursday evening that he had been informed of the decision to put in a planning application during a meeting with representatives of both Barratt Redrow and the Jockey Club, Kempton's owner.
Developer's denial and ongoing process
However, a spokesperson for Barratt Redrow later disputed the suggestion, saying that "a planning application is not going to be submitted this year though we will continue to work with Spelthorne borough council as part of their Call for Sites' process. We will share further updates in due course."
The Jockey Club initially announced a plan to sell the site for housing in January 2017, but the proposal met fierce resistance from racing fans, professionals, and local residents, and was shelved in early 2020. In late 2025, it emerged that the developer had negotiated a 10-year option to buy the site in 2018 if planning permission could be obtained, meaning its future is beyond the Jockey Club's control.
Impact of new planning laws
The latest speculation over the future of Kempton Park follows changes to planning laws in the government's Planning and Infrastructure Act, which aims to promote housebuilding nationwide. The uncertainty continues to concern racing enthusiasts who fear losing a key venue.
Constitution River tipped for Eclipse Stakes success
Aidan O'Brien-trained three-year-olds have won four of the last five renewals of the Eclipse Stakes, and Constitution River, the French Derby winner, is expected to be a short price to add another Group One success to his record in Sandown's historic feature event on Saturday.
Constitution River's seven-length defeat of Generic—a winner at Royal Ascot last month—in the Dee Stakes in May was the most impressive performance in any British Classic trial. Though he was steered towards Chantilly rather than Epsom, his three-quarter length defeat of stable companion Hawk Mountain in France can be marked up as he overcame the worst of the draw.
Rivals and betting tips
Owen Burrows's four-year-old Gethin, a close second behind the subsequent Prince of Wales's Stakes winner Ombudsman over track and trip in May, is likely to offer the stiffest resistance to the favourite as he steps into all-aged company for the first time. Constitution River, however, is already several pounds clear of the field on ratings and, with just five runs in the book, has more scope for improvement than any of his rivals.
Other tips for Saturday include Rumstar in the 1.50 at Sandown, Indalo in the 2.25, and Caught U Sleeping in the 2.40 at Newmarket. Greg Wood's full tips are listed for Sandown, Newmarket, Leicester, Beverley, Nottingham, and Carlisle.
