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Unprecedented legal advice secures opening of the UK's first National Hunt Racecourse in 80 years

The UK's first National Hunt Racecourse in 80 years opens on 28th August, following unprecedented legal advice from award-winning commercial law firm TLT.

On behalf of racecourse owner Mr David Walters, TLT's Licensing team secured all of the required licences for the site, for which there was no legal precedent because the legislation was not created until 2005, after the UK's other racecourses had already been developed.

Ffos Las is the first course in West Wales and one of only three in Wales. Formerly the largest open cast coalmine in Europe, the 600 acre site includes a 60metre wide course, a large stand housing plenty of bars and betting outlets and ample parking.

TLT secured the extensive and complicated licences which included relevant gaming permissions to allow track side betting to take place, and a liquor and entertainment licence enabling the sale of alcohol, and concerts and entertainment to be held catering for up to 10,000 people. The licences are integral to the success of the racecourse and required the TLT team to work closely with developers, the police, the local authority and the Gambling Commission over an 18 month period.

TLT's Head of Licensing Matthew Phipps "This is a significant piece of work, in terms of both the size of the project, its complexity, and because there was no legal precedent. Both academically and commercially the project was a challenge but I'm delighted that we've got the results we wanted."

TLT is now looking to secure a marriage licence for the racecourse.

TLT has a specialist focus on the leisure sector, advising some of the sector's leading pub companies, clubs, restaurants, hotel chains and visitor attractions.