Lydden Hill owners fear the race circuit could be turned into a lorry park if proposed multi-million pound plans to develop its facilities are rejected.

Circuit boss Pat Doran says he does not want the site – just off the A2 outside Canterbury – to close, but fears it could if planners turn down the proposal.

The 56-year-old, who has owned the circuit for six years, wants to build a new entrance, grandstands and a hospitality centre.

He said: “We would struggle to see where it could go – we don’t want to see it turn into another lorry park.

“If we don’t get this planning we will have to take another direction. Closure would be a last resort but a change in direction would be the way forward.

“I don’t know what we would do. It would be drastic if we didn’t get planning.

“At the moment you only have Dover Castle and Lydden in this area – we don’t want to lose another attraction.”

Circuit bosses are planning on teaching learner drivers, putting on police-driver training and holding advanced driving courses during weekdays.

Motor racing would continue at the circuit, but there are also proposals to use the Wootton site as a centre for activities such as hot-air ballooning, camping and craft fairs.

Owners plan to open up an entrance to the circuit off Geddinge Lane, aimed at alleviating congestion on the A2 when the track holds popular events.

Mr Doran, who races in the British Rallycross Championship, added: “It’s not just the development – it’s what else we can do with the venue.

“Anything from hot-air ballooning to cycling; anything outside of motorsport to become a bit more versatile.

“We are currently restricted on what we can do. We have got to be more versatile than we are now.

“We have done everything possible to keep everyone happy. We can’t see any reason why it should be rejected, but you never know.”

The owners also want to construct a three-storey spectator hospitality centre and a second building of two storeys for administration.

There are also proposals for the provision of 14 two-storey engineering suites.

The plans would introduce more full-time jobs and would limit the number of drift events to eight a year after local residents raised noise and disturbance issues.

Lydden welcomes thousands of spectators to a number of events throughout the year, including the FIA World Rallycross Championship.

Mr Doran is calling on supporters to “stand up now” and back the proposal, which is being handled by Dover District Council.