Ascot racecourse has submitted a planning application to the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead for a proposed £180m redevelopment, including a new stand and the relocation of a section of the racetrack.

The new stand, designed by HOK Sport+Venue+Event - the designer responsible for the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff - includes an internal galleria, hotel, health club and restaurant. The hotel will provide additional viewing boxes for race days.

A new parade ring will give stepped viewing for 9000 racegoers, an increase from the previous capacity of 3000, but although the realignment of track will improve circulation, the redevelopments will not increase Ascot's overall capacity of 80,000.

'Our plans take advantage of the best that modern architecture, structural engineering and building technology can offer, while preserving the unique appeal of Ascot,' said Lord Hartington, chair of Ascot Authority Holdings.

Work on track relocation is scheduled to begin in late 2002 and depending on planning permission the main construction work on the stands should start late 2004. Funding will be from a combination of reserves and borrowings. Details: +44 (0)1344 876876