MANY people were quick to rubbish plans for a £250 million motor racing complex near Ebbw Vale when they were first announced last year.

But with a planning application about to be submitted and the head of MotoGP praising the scheme, the dissenting voices are less audible.

The Rassau site will be Britain’s first custom-built motorsport track and aims to host a MotoGP grand prix by 2015. It will include a technology park and an academy for young riders and drivers.

More importantly, the Circuit of Wales will create 9,000 jobs and help regenerate what has been one of Gwent’s most deprived areas.

Yesterday MotoGP boss Carmelo Ezpeleta was in Gwent to talk about the scheme, along with star motorcycle racers Chaz Davies and Leon Haslam.

They were united in their praise for the Circuit of Wales proposals, with Mr Ezpeleta promising to give developers “all they need” to complete the project.

We have said before in this column howimportant we believe this development to be to the Gwent economy as a whole. It continues to have our support and we hope to see topclass motorsport flourishing in the heart of Gwent for many years to come.

Those with negative views always seem to have the loudest voices when projects like this are announced.

Thankfully, the Circuit of Wales is increasingly surrounded by nothing but positivity.