Issue - meetings

To update the Conservators on the use of the Owners and Trainers and Derby Arms Car Parks by the Racecourse during 2025 and to formally request permission for ad-hoc use in 2026.

The Conservators received an update on the use of the Owners and Trainers and Derby Arms Car Parks by the Racecourse during 2025 and a request for permission for ad-hoc use in 2026.

The following matters were considered:

a)            Parking habits. A Member of the Conservators asked if there was anything the racecourse will do to try and prevent cars from parking in car park when it is not one of the days of approved and genuine use. The Vice Chair explained that the usage of car park has dramatically reduced and was used for roughly 10 days last year. He explained that there was an issue with people breaking the bolts off the barriers, which the racecourse is trying to address as well. He stated that on those occasions when there's been no barrier up, that's when one or two cars would use that car park. He explained that it wouldn’t be a racecourse car over there because they use the tarmac car park in the grandstand area and anyone else visiting the race course is encouraged to use that. He confirmed the racecourse is looking at the management of the gate on that car park to ensure that it's properly secured.

b)            Car Park 3. A Member of the Conservators asked which car park is the owners and trainers car park. The Vice Chair confirmed that the owners and trainers car park is car park number 3. The Member raised that the key to the safe operation of that as an additional car parking space is the efficiency and skill of the car park attendant. The Vice Chair noted the comments and agreed to address the matter.

Following consideration, the Conservators unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Note the level of use by the Jockey Club of Car Parks 3 and 8 during 2025.

(2)      To approve an application by the Jockey Club to use these cark parks during 2026 for ad-hoc events.

(3)      Approve the Car Park Management Operational Note as set out in Appendix 1.

(4)      Nominate and authorise the Clerk to the Conservators, in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of the Epsom and Walton Downs Conservators, to consider and grant permission to any future continuation of the use of Car Parks 3 and 8, subject to no material issues or concerns having been raised during the preceding season.