A TORY AM has called for the Welsh Government to act quickly over the release of common land to allow the £250 million Circuit of Wales motor racing facility to get started.

William Graham, Tory AM for South Wales East, has urged the Welsh Government to act quickly and conclude the process for releasing common land needed to start the Blaenau Gwent project.

The Welsh Government said an application to use common land was received in December and is being considered.

Mr Graham said: “I am concerned that the process of allowing the release of common land is yet to be concluded – preventing the commencement of this investment programme.

“Whilst I accept the need for all matters of planning law to be adhered to, we must ensure that this is concluded quickly so the project can start and the people ofBlaenau Gwent, and throughout Wales can benefit.”

A spokeswoman for the Heads of the Valleys Development company said: “We very much welcome the interest and support shown in the Circuit of Wales development by Mr Graham.

“We have had positive engagement and support from the Welsh Government in getting the project to where it currently stands. Quite naturally however, wWe are eager to get on site and commence construction as quickly as possible in order to bring new jobs to the area within the next few months and international motor sport to South Wales.

“Deregistration of the common land and finding replacement land is a process the project needs to go through and we hope this can be concluded as quickly as possible.”

A Welsh Government spokeswoman said: “All the necessary planning approvals for this development are in place.

“An application to use common land was received in December and is currently being considered.”