Trelawny have been forced to ask the British Speedway Promoters' Association to put their licence on hold for 12 months after running into a problem with access to their proposed new site at St Dennis.

The JAG Tigers will be unable to race this season, but remain optimistic of returning to the Premier League in 2005.

News of the decision to miss out on 2004 came in a statement issued by the Trelawny promotion, saying: 'We have been trying to resolve the problem during the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

'But we were unable to find a resolution in time to meet our deadline for obtaining planning permission, so the planning application was subsequently withdrawn.

'One of the benefits is that we now have time to eliminate any possible problems with English Nature.

'We can obtain a survey of the wildlife breeding season in the area adjacent to our proposed site at Gaverigan, near St Dennis.

'If this survey proves positive, it will save us time and expenditure with nature mitigation.' The decision comes as a bitter disappointment following a season which saw Trelawny achieve their best finish of eighth position in the Premier League.

Trelawny's rider assets are now on the transfer list, although the management would be willing to negotiate loan deals which would leave the riders available to return to the JAG Tigers in 12 months' time.

The immediate schedule for the Trelawny promotion is to arrange the wildlife study, which will take place between the months of February and June. They will also look at access and public transport to eliminate some of the traffic flow through the area.

It is now intended to submit the planning application to the local Restormel Council in June.

A Trelawny spokesman says: 'We will be seeking permission for August so that we can, hopefully, move into the site to start development in September to enable us to be ready for the 2005 season.'

Trelawny are willing to liaise with other local sporting organisations on the use of their proposed new site. 'We believe Cornwall has a shortfall of facilities,' explained the spokesman.

'If any other sport orientated groups require the use of facilities for 2005 they are welcome to approach us and forward their thoughts and proposals.

'Hopefully, we might be able to accommodate other interests to fulfil the needs of local residents.'

The temporary loss of the sport in Cornwall after a run of seven years will be a blow to local supporters.

With this in mind the management say: 'We are prepared to lay on coaches to Somerset and Exeter so our loyal supporters can still enjoy their fix of speedway entertainment following the disappointment of this news.'