A POPULAR raceway is to close its doors to motorsport for good this summer, it has been announced.

Ringwood Raceway is set to host its last ever event on the weekend of Saturday, August 6 and Sunday, August 7.

In a post on social media, a spokesperson for Ringwood Raceway said they are "truly saddened" and had been given notice marking the “end of the road” for the track amid a planning application.  

As previously reported by the Daily Echo, there are major plans to turn the site into a retirement village.

The major development would see hundreds of apartments and cottages for older people built on the site under plans proposed by developer Inspired Villages.

The established car racing track off Matchams Lane has hosted events since the 1950s.

Read more: 330 flats and cottages for older people in new major plan for race track site

The track is reportedly one of the UK’s largest oval raceways used for stock car racing.

Posting on social media, a spokesperson for Ringwood Raceway said: “We have to report that Ringwood Raceway unfortunately is set to close its doors for motorsport for the last EVER EVENT on the weekend of Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th August 2022."

The spokesperson added: "Currently all motorsport is set to end at this iconic venue with just two meetings left before regrettably we have to close the doors for the final time in Ringwood Raceways long history of oval racing with oval racing taking place at the Matchams complex since 1954."

Read more: Public consultation draws polarising response on major retirement village plans

A public consultation on the plans for the site was held last October.

The developer is also proposing the creation of a new 33-hectare nature conservation area and has held discussions with Natural England.

Once complete, the development would create 40 to 50 new jobs in the area, Inspired Villages said.

The plans are still under consideration by Dorset Council.