District councillors are being urged to approve the track

The �4.5m track will allow the number of race meetings at the Berkshire track to be doubled.

At a meeting on Wednesday night, West Berkshire District Council voted unanimously in favour of the plan, subject to a maximum of an additional 30 days racing at the course.

Subject to the allocation of fixtures, construction of the all-weather surface could begin next spring with completion in early autumn 2004.

Traffic concerns

"This is a major step forward in the development of the racecourse and places us in a strong position to be able to negotiate firmly with the industry for additional fixtures," said Newbury's managing director Mark Kershaw.

"We are continuing to strengthen our product and the new 350 seater glass-fronted restaurant, which will open in time for the Hennessy Festival weekend next month, is another demonstration of our commitment to providing the best possible facilities for racegoers.

"To extend use of the course and its amenities by up to another 30 days makes commercial sense."

The racecourse wants to build the track to stop missed race days due to bad weather which cost tens of thousands of pounds in lost income.

Greenham Parish Council had objected to the plans, saying the area would not cope with the extra traffic and those living nearby would face a fight for parking spaces.