Irish tycoon and greyhound racing fan wants to save site

9:00am Saturday 2nd February 2013 in News Photograph of the Author By Freddie Whittaker, covering Politics and Kidlington. Call me on 01865 425498

Paschal Taggart Paschal Taggart

AN entrepreneur who revolutionsed the racing industry in Ireland wants to become the saviour of Oxford Stadium.

Paschal Taggart has announced his intention to buy the empty shell of the stadium so it can continue to run as a leisure facility.

The stadium held its last day of racing on December 29 and site owners the Greyhound Racing Association have emptied it of all its fixtures and fittings.

Now the site is back in the hands of the GRA’s parent company Risk Capital Partners, and Galliard Homes, which has links with the organisation.

Mr Taggart, a former Irish Greyhound Board chairman who last year submitted plans for a £30 million redevelopment of Wimbledon Stadium, said it was the resolve of local people to keep the stadium running which had convinced him to mount a bid to buy the Oxford Stadium site.

He said: “The council seems to be very much against it [redevelopment of the site] and so they should be. I think it’s disgraceful that something that’s been there for a long time as a community facility is being exploited to make money for the owners.

“I don’t see it as a very profitable venture, but it will still support a greyhound stadium. There’s no reason why it shouldn’t.”

He wouldn’t speculate on the exact value of the stadium, but said it would be worth a lot less without planning permission for homes and without its equipment. He said: “I will pay full market value for it. Now it’s up to the council and the campaigners to do the groundwork, because I can’t do that.”

The site is thought to be worth upwards of £6m as it is now, but significantly more with planning permision for homes. An estate agent said it could sell for up to £10m, with a property developer expected to make more than £34m from the sale of the homes.

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Mr Taggart said the owners of the site had found a “determined adversary” in Oxford East MP Andrew Smith, who has been co-ordinating a campaign against the re-development of the facility.

Oxford City Council announced it would not support the development of the former facility for housing after a bid to build 225 homes on the site was announced by Galliard Homes last year.

And more than 1,200 people have signed a petition against the redevelopment of the site, according to Mr Smith who said: “Our local community is absolutely determined to save Oxford Stadium, for greyhound racing and other sports.

“It is fantastic news that someone of Paschal Taggart’s standing is seriously interested in the stadium.

“The facilities at Oxford are first-rate, there is massive support from local people, and huge potential for the stadium's future.”

Mr Taggart has confirmed he would also be keen to see Speedway re-introduced at the stadium for the first time since 2008.

The businessman is revered in Irish racing circles. When he took over as chairman of the Irish Greyhound Board in 1995 attendances were around 6,000. His view was that by giving race-goers top-class racing and facilities, the public would support it. When he stepped down 10 years later, attendances stood at 1.4million.

The news of Mr Taggart’s interest has been welcomed by fans, including Ian Sawyer, from the Save Oxford Stadium campaign.

He said: “I’m absolutely delighted. We’ve heard about people being interested in the site, but this is the first time anyone has announced it publicly. We would support him 110 per cent if he did succeed in buying the stadium.”

Oxford City Council leader Bob Price said: “I think it’s good news, but we assume the next stage will be for Galliard Homes to put in a planning application for homes.

“They have refused to speak to people about selling the site, presumably because they want to get planning permission to increase its value. We suspect that until the planning application has been decided, we won’t get very far.”

Mr Price said the council would be happy to hold talks with Mr Taggart and Galliard Homes in order to facilitate a sale of the site.

Comments (11)

11:55am Sun 3 Feb 13

den friend says...

Greyhound racing will soon be consigned to history, where it belongs. The use and abuse of greyhounds, which are simply used as commodities by the greyhound racing Industry is unacceptable. The Industry is incapable of ensuring it's members comply with any sort of standards of care for the thousands of greyhounds bred for the purpose of racing and then discarded in their thousands when they are no longer useful. Personally, I am glad to see the back of it.
Greyhound racing will soon be consigned to history, where it belongs. The use and abuse of greyhounds, which are simply used as commodities by the greyhound racing Industry is unacceptable. The Industry is incapable of ensuring it's members comply with any sort of standards of care for the thousands of greyhounds bred for the purpose of racing and then discarded in their thousands when they are no longer useful. Personally, I am glad to see the back of it. den friend

12:24pm Sun 3 Feb 13

SuzieB says...

Perhaps the derelict stadium should be turned into a memorial gallery with photos and history of all the greyhounds who have lost their lives to the industry. Yes, they can have a corner for the ones who are retired to good homes but it will pale into insignificance when compared to all those put down due to injuries or lack of enough good homes.
Perhaps the derelict stadium should be turned into a memorial gallery with photos and history of all the greyhounds who have lost their lives to the industry. Yes, they can have a corner for the ones who are retired to good homes but it will pale into insignificance when compared to all those put down due to injuries or lack of enough good homes. SuzieB

7:09pm Sun 3 Feb 13

Grunden Skip says...

How about you two turn your attention to the slaughter houses that torture sheep and lambs by murdering them in an illegal way by hanging them up fully conscious and slitting their throats one by one and watch as the poor mother and her lambs bleat in agony as the blood and their lives drain away, during which a prayer is said to one or other god, to get around the law. Now that is REAL animal cruelty, but it is very strange that you "animal lovers" never protest about that, or issue death threats as you did to the workers on South Parks Road. Could one of you answer why you let this torture of millions of animals, especially a mother and her children, go on with your consent every year please. But you don't REALLY care for animals, as the Dog owners do, you just don't like the idea of dogs, owners, and spectators enjoying themselves, whilst you live your life full of axes to grind, with the word enjoyment expunged from your dictionary.
How about you two turn your attention to the slaughter houses that torture sheep and lambs by murdering them in an illegal way by hanging them up fully conscious and slitting their throats one by one and watch as the poor mother and her lambs bleat in agony as the blood and their lives drain away, during which a prayer is said to one or other god, to get around the law. Now that is REAL animal cruelty, but it is very strange that you "animal lovers" never protest about that, or issue death threats as you did to the workers on South Parks Road. Could one of you answer why you let this torture of millions of animals, especially a mother and her children, go on with your consent every year please. But you don't REALLY care for animals, as the Dog owners do, you just don't like the idea of dogs, owners, and spectators enjoying themselves, whilst you live your life full of axes to grind, with the word enjoyment expunged from your dictionary. Grunden Skip

11:33pm Sun 3 Feb 13

mandate says...

Grunden Skip wrote:
How about you two turn your attention to the slaughter houses that torture sheep and lambs by murdering them in an illegal way by hanging them up fully conscious and slitting their throats one by one and watch as the poor mother and her lambs bleat in agony as the blood and their lives drain away, during which a prayer is said to one or other god, to get around the law. Now that is REAL animal cruelty, but it is very strange that you "animal lovers" never protest about that, or issue death threats as you did to the workers on South Parks Road. Could one of you answer why you let this torture of millions of animals, especially a mother and her children, go on with your consent every year please. But you don't REALLY care for animals, as the Dog owners do, you just don't like the idea of dogs, owners, and spectators enjoying themselves, whilst you live your life full of axes to grind, with the word enjoyment expunged from your dictionary.
I agree totally with your comments. My uncle has raced his own dogs at Oxford Stadium for over 30 years. As a kid, I paraded the dogs before the races. I never once saw or experienced any cruelty or malice towards any of the dogs that raced.

As anybody who is connected to the sport of greyhound racing knows, the financial rewards for dog owners is very little. The truth of the matter is, racing dogs have often more of of an affectionate value to their owners, than financial. Owners mostly just enjoy the pleasure and excitement of seeing thier dogs compete. So it would be probable to assume that most owners would not allow their dogs to be maltreated.

The fact that animal rights groups target dog racing as a cruel sport must be the result of misinformation. Why is it that these groups don't make the same noise about horse racing?
[quote][p][bold]Grunden Skip[/bold] wrote: How about you two turn your attention to the slaughter houses that torture sheep and lambs by murdering them in an illegal way by hanging them up fully conscious and slitting their throats one by one and watch as the poor mother and her lambs bleat in agony as the blood and their lives drain away, during which a prayer is said to one or other god, to get around the law. Now that is REAL animal cruelty, but it is very strange that you "animal lovers" never protest about that, or issue death threats as you did to the workers on South Parks Road. Could one of you answer why you let this torture of millions of animals, especially a mother and her children, go on with your consent every year please. But you don't REALLY care for animals, as the Dog owners do, you just don't like the idea of dogs, owners, and spectators enjoying themselves, whilst you live your life full of axes to grind, with the word enjoyment expunged from your dictionary.[/p][/quote]I agree totally with your comments. My uncle has raced his own dogs at Oxford Stadium for over 30 years. As a kid, I paraded the dogs before the races. I never once saw or experienced any cruelty or malice towards any of the dogs that raced. As anybody who is connected to the sport of greyhound racing knows, the financial rewards for dog owners is very little. The truth of the matter is, racing dogs have often more of of an affectionate value to their owners, than financial. Owners mostly just enjoy the pleasure and excitement of seeing thier dogs compete. So it would be probable to assume that most owners would not allow their dogs to be maltreated. The fact that animal rights groups target dog racing as a cruel sport must be the result of misinformation. Why is it that these groups don't make the same noise about horse racing? mandate

10:00am Mon 4 Feb 13

A Scroat says...

Grunden Skip wrote:
How about you two turn your attention to the slaughter houses that torture sheep and lambs by murdering them in an illegal way by hanging them up fully conscious and slitting their throats one by one and watch as the poor mother and her lambs bleat in agony as the blood and their lives drain away, during which a prayer is said to one or other god, to get around the law. Now that is REAL animal cruelty, but it is very strange that you "animal lovers" never protest about that, or issue death threats as you did to the workers on South Parks Road. Could one of you answer why you let this torture of millions of animals, especially a mother and her children, go on with your consent every year please. But you don't REALLY care for animals, as the Dog owners do, you just don't like the idea of dogs, owners, and spectators enjoying themselves, whilst you live your life full of axes to grind, with the word enjoyment expunged from your dictionary.
Well done GS. I totally agree with you.
[quote][p][bold]Grunden Skip[/bold] wrote: How about you two turn your attention to the slaughter houses that torture sheep and lambs by murdering them in an illegal way by hanging them up fully conscious and slitting their throats one by one and watch as the poor mother and her lambs bleat in agony as the blood and their lives drain away, during which a prayer is said to one or other god, to get around the law. Now that is REAL animal cruelty, but it is very strange that you "animal lovers" never protest about that, or issue death threats as you did to the workers on South Parks Road. Could one of you answer why you let this torture of millions of animals, especially a mother and her children, go on with your consent every year please. But you don't REALLY care for animals, as the Dog owners do, you just don't like the idea of dogs, owners, and spectators enjoying themselves, whilst you live your life full of axes to grind, with the word enjoyment expunged from your dictionary.[/p][/quote]Well done GS. I totally agree with you. A Scroat

11:25am Mon 4 Feb 13

den friend says...

Grundig. Are you a racist? It would appear so from your rant about ritual slaughter. Do you honestly believe that animals slaughtered by so called 'humane' methods do not suffer? Are you a vegan I wonder? I expect not, since you criticise the campaign in Souths Park Road! So my conclusion is that you are a greyhound breeder/owner/racer. What ever you are, you are ignorant, since there is plenty of evidence of cruelty in the greyhound Industry, which you seem to want to ignore.
Grundig. Are you a racist? It would appear so from your rant about ritual slaughter. Do you honestly believe that animals slaughtered by so called 'humane' methods do not suffer? Are you a vegan I wonder? I expect not, since you criticise the campaign in Souths Park Road! So my conclusion is that you are a greyhound breeder/owner/racer. What ever you are, you are ignorant, since there is plenty of evidence of cruelty in the greyhound Industry, which you seem to want to ignore. den friend

1:27pm Mon 4 Feb 13

to ny w says...

Shame about free speech and freedom of choice.
Still if GRA/Venture capitalists don't want to sell, there is no way this pipe dream can proceed.
Shame about free speech and freedom of choice. Still if GRA/Venture capitalists don't want to sell, there is no way this pipe dream can proceed. to ny w

2:07pm Mon 4 Feb 13

Grunden Skip says...

den friend wrote:
Grundig. Are you a racist? It would appear so from your rant about ritual slaughter. Do you honestly believe that animals slaughtered by so called 'humane' methods do not suffer? Are you a vegan I wonder? I expect not, since you criticise the campaign in Souths Park Road! So my conclusion is that you are a greyhound breeder/owner/racer. What ever you are, you are ignorant, since there is plenty of evidence of cruelty in the greyhound Industry, which you seem to want to ignore.
Dan, I appreciate your (copied and pasted from various anti-everything websites) rant. But what is your POINT. My point (not a rant, look up the definition) is that certain groups are allowed to torture animals because they pray to a certain god before doing so, and you do nothing about that torture and cruelty. But Greyhound owners care for their dogs, have them trained and fed a nutritional diet, and housed in comfortable surroundings. Yet you seem to think that the former is animal welfare, and the latter is torture???. A simple question for you Danny boy, why do you allow the former to go on unabated, yet seem to think that you have the right to attack law abiding citizens on the latter. By the way I love your "He's a racialist" slur. Please explain where you seem to think that I made a "racialist" comment? answer on a pin head please.
[quote][p][bold]den friend[/bold] wrote: Grundig. Are you a racist? It would appear so from your rant about ritual slaughter. Do you honestly believe that animals slaughtered by so called 'humane' methods do not suffer? Are you a vegan I wonder? I expect not, since you criticise the campaign in Souths Park Road! So my conclusion is that you are a greyhound breeder/owner/racer. What ever you are, you are ignorant, since there is plenty of evidence of cruelty in the greyhound Industry, which you seem to want to ignore.[/p][/quote]Dan, I appreciate your (copied and pasted from various anti-everything websites) rant. But what is your POINT. My point (not a rant, look up the definition) is that certain groups are allowed to torture animals because they pray to a certain god before doing so, and you do nothing about that torture and cruelty. But Greyhound owners care for their dogs, have them trained and fed a nutritional diet, and housed in comfortable surroundings. Yet you seem to think that the former is animal welfare, and the latter is torture???. A simple question for you Danny boy, why do you allow the former to go on unabated, yet seem to think that you have the right to attack law abiding citizens on the latter. By the way I love your "He's a racialist" slur. Please explain where you seem to think that I made a "racialist" comment? answer on a pin head please. Grunden Skip

7:16am Tue 5 Feb 13

saddletramp says...

The businessman is revered in Irish racing circles. When he took over as chairman of the Irish Greyhound Board in 1995 attendances were around 6,000. His view was that by giving race-goers top-class racing and facilities, the public would support it. When he stepped down 10 years later, attendances stood at 1.4million
Really?their are 20 Greyhound tracks in Ireland,holding 800 meetings a year.
So according to your stats,in 1995 some meetings must have had a zero attendance.
The businessman is revered in Irish racing circles. When he took over as chairman of the Irish Greyhound Board in 1995 attendances were around 6,000. His view was that by giving race-goers top-class racing and facilities, the public would support it. When he stepped down 10 years later, attendances stood at 1.4million Really?their are 20 Greyhound tracks in Ireland,holding 800 meetings a year. So according to your stats,in 1995 some meetings must have had a zero attendance. saddletramp

12:11pm Tue 5 Feb 13

den friend says...

Grundig, No further comments are necessary, you have shown yourself up for what you are.
Grundig, No further comments are necessary, you have shown yourself up for what you are. den friend

2:54pm Tue 5 Feb 13

Grunden Skip says...

den friend wrote:
Grundig, No further comments are necessary, you have shown yourself up for what you are.
Correct Den, I have shown myself up for what I am, that is a rational person that cares for animals, people, and their lives. All you have done is shown yourself up as a person that can attack others without any argument other than "he's a racialitismist" grow up, and come back when you have a rational point to make. Your silly, childish, and plain stupid attack on me is about as truthful, as me saying that you **&$$%£ ^^&)£". Work it out. I am open to debate, not to slurs.
[quote][p][bold]den friend[/bold] wrote: Grundig, No further comments are necessary, you have shown yourself up for what you are.[/p][/quote]Correct Den, I have shown myself up for what I am, that is a rational person that cares for animals, people, and their lives. All you have done is shown yourself up as a person that can attack others without any argument other than "he's a racialitismist" grow up, and come back when you have a rational point to make. Your silly, childish, and plain stupid attack on me is about as truthful, as me saying that you **&$$%£ ^^&)£". Work it out. I am open to debate, not to slurs. Grunden Skip

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