ASBESTOS has been found in a block at Cheltenham Racecourse which is set to be demolished as part of a major redevelopment.
Bosses at the venue have written to box holders in the A&R block to tell them they will no longer be able to use the seats as the building is cleared of the toxic substance.
However, they say it will not impact on the timescale of the £45 million proposal to demolish the 1920s block next year and build a state-of-the-art new grandstand in its place.
Owners of boxes in the famous stand will be rehoused next season to allow for the asbestos to be cleared prior to demolition immediately after next year's Festival.
Box holders voiced sadness at the end of an era at the famous venue.
Gold Cup winning trainer Kim Bailey, from Andoversford, updated his blog yesterday on the eve of the last Cheltenham meeting until October. He said: "Sadly I will not be there to enjoy this lovely old box for the last time.
"Ian Renton, the new MD, has found asbestos in the stand so it is now deemed hazardous and dangerous to use.
"As a result it needs another year's work before it is ready to be pulled down to make way to the new grandstand."
Members of The Jockey Club, who own the racecourse, unveiled plans for the revamp in March.
Subject to planning permission the A&R block, which contains 55 private boxes and holds up to 1,500 people, will be transformed into a 6,500 capacity grandstand.
The main development will begin immediately after the 2014 Festival with a scheduled completion date ahead of the 2016 Festival.
During the construction period, the race programme is set to continue as normal.
Andy Clifton, racecourse spokesman, said: "We've known the building – like many old buildings – has asbestos for a long time.
"When buildings have asbestos, you can't just demolish them. For health and safety reasons there is a proper procedure to adhere to.
"However, none of this will impact on our planned schedule for the new development."
