Newcastle and Chelmsford can apply for racing fixtures

British Horseracing Authority has approved the entry of Newcastle and Chelmsford racecourses into the 2015 fixture allocation process.

Chelmsford City racecourse in Essex has been closed for six years after going into administration.

In that time, it has been rejected twice at this stage but it now looks like racing could be returning to the track formerly known as Great Leighs.

It is owned by Tote Media Limited which involves bookmaker Betfred, betting data and video provider SIS and betting services provider Bet Solutions International.

Newcastle racecourse, owned by Arena Racing, is converting its flat-turf circuit into the first all-weather racetrack in the North of England and the only straight floodlit mile in the world.

Ruth Quinn, director of the British Horseracing Authority, said: "This should not be interpreted as a guarantee or indication of an expansion of all-weather fixtures or the overall fixture list in order to accommodate new fixtures at either venue."

The fixture list will be announced in September.