The re-hash of an old news story by Manchester Evening News suggests that Countryside Properties now have “their ducks in a row” and are preparing to build political pressure to build houses on the site of Britain’s first greyhound track at Belle Vue. Flyers delivered to local residents earlier in the year flagged up intentions to put 250 houses on the site, and although no formal planning application had been registered by Monday, we understand that the documents were indeed filed with Manchester City Council today.

So what happens next?

Well, by sending out the flyers six months or so prior to their application, the development company has already galvanised into action a group of Belle Vue enthusiasts led by local bookmaker Simon Walmsley. They plan to nominate for an Asset Community Value but have been unable to do so until a planning application number had been issued.

The long battle over outline and detailed planning will then get underway.

Belle Vue will surely close – eventually. Even its most vibrant supporters know it has a limited life span.

Like so many tracks of similar vintage, it was built for five, not four, figure attendances. Crowds who would never know internet, television or betting on-line. Tracks that were built on 10-12 acres on the outskirts of towns, but are now hemmed in by building development. Ironically though, as was noted by Pat Rosney recently, it is still a hugely popular Manc weekend night out.

In fact, speak to any Belle Vue regular and the inevitable observation is ‘imagine what it would have been like with a few bob spent on it!’.

The cash flow into the Belle Vue infrastructure, fixtures and fittings had dried up long before GRA was bought out by Wembley plc. The patience of various general managers was worn as threadbare as the carpet. But Wembley were in equally deep financial mire and the final nail went in the coffin when it was sold to Galliard Homes (within a Trojan horse called Risk Capital).

They then sold on to Crown Estates who had no plans to invest in a greyhound track, merely milk it for a time, which they did by leasing it out to promoter Clive Feltham.

So the question is surely not ‘if’ but ‘when’ the ageing Belle Vue closes.

Look to Hall Green and get depressed. It was only 13 months after planning permission, originally rejected, was reversed and the track raced for the last time in July 2017. In hindsight, with the place still abandoned six months later, it was surely a wasted opportunity to extend rental income.

Things didn’t go quite as well for Galliards when it came to Oxford which closed in 2012. It is five and a half years since the local council unanimously rejected planning permission. No building has taken place.

Then of course there was Wimbledon. Galliards announced plans to throw out the dogs in May 2012 but Feltham was allowed to keep the place trading and it was March 2017 before the doors finally closed.

Belle Vue has a strong kennel strength, is well attended and makes money. Even if the would-be developers overcome all their planning obstacles, there seems little imminent threat to racing.