The long-term future of the British Grand Prix has been thrown into renewed doubt after the British Racing Drivers Club failed to win support for ambitious redevelopment plans of Silverstone.

According to the Reuters news agency, the BRDC Board has been forced to shelve its proposal to lease the Northamptonshire circuit to St Modwen Properties for 150 years in the face of a revolt from grassroots members.

The plan was to convert the former RAF training base into a state-of-the-art, multi-purpose facility with a luxury hotel and residential housing on the 800-acre site.

But BRDC members were unwilling to sign away their rights to the land for such a long period and hand over the operation of the circuit to Northern Racing for 25 years.

Opposition at last month’s Extraordinary General Meeting led to a vote on the proposal being postponed.

The dissident members, led by former British F3 champion Harry Stiller, then issued a statement calling for a vote of no confidence in the entire BRDC Board.

The Board has now circulated a letter to all members conceding that there is insufficient support for it to press ahead with its plans.

BRDC chairman Stuart Rolt urged members to attend a series of consultative “forums” in April to review the Club’s finances and discuss options for the future.

Silverstone has a contract to host the British GP until 2009 but has repeatedly come under pressure from F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone to update its facilities.