Agenda item

Public Participation

Mr George Threlfal and Ms Kate Minter spoke in objection to the application.

Mr Tony Doyle spoke in support of the application.

Councillor Owen Gibbs, Chairman of Brinkworth Parish Council spoke in objection to the application.

The Planning Officer introduced the report which recommended that planning application be granted subject to conditions.

It was explained that this was a retrospective application as the track had already been created. Noise complaints had already been received regarding the activity and the Committee noted that noise levels varied with wind speed and direction. The works were considered to have limited impact and the conditions were sufficient to address the concern over noise. The Committee were reminded that activities such as these can be carried out up to 14 days per year without planning permission.

The Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions and it was explained that the permission was for the works, and if refused the works could be removed however the site could still be used for the activity for up to 14 days per year.

Members of the Public then had the opportunity to address the Committee with their views as detailed above.

The Local Member, Councillor Toby Sturgis spoke in support of the application.

A debate followed during which the need to state a maximum decibel level for the engines was discussed, whether there could be a guarantee on no weekend racing or an informative added which discouraged racing on Sundays, whether a programme could be made available to all, especially residents, and suggested the removal of permitted development rights.

At the end of the debate it was:-

Resolved:

To DELEGATE to the Area Development Manager to grant the application, subject to additional conditions which shall be agreed with the Local Member and shall include noise limits at source, removal of permitted development rights and contents of management plan to be submitted before any use is made of the track.

The proposal is considered to be an acceptable form of development in this particular location.  Whilst comprising an alteration to the landform of an agricultural field, the visual effect of development is not considered to be unacceptable in the context of the adjoining M4 corridor.  Furthermore, subject to the imposition of appropriate planning conditions, the characteristics of the proposed use of the land would not have an unacceptable impact upon the amenities of neighbouring residents nor upon highway safety.  As such the proposed development is considered to comply with the provisions of Policies C3, NE15 of the adopted North Wiltshire Local Plan 2011 and guidance contained in the National Planning Policy Framework.

Subject to the following conditions:

1        The land subject to this permission shall be used for the racing and/or practice of motocross motorcycles up to a maximum of 14 days in any one calendar year.  Between the months of April and September such racing and/or practice of motocross motorcycles shall not exceed 1 day per calendar month.  Between the months of October and March such racing and/or practice of motocross motorcycles shall not exceed 2 days per calendar month.

REASON:  In the interests of securing a use that does not unreasonably present a noise nuisance to surrounding residential occupiers.

2        The racing and/or practice of motorcycles specified in condition 1 shall only take place between the hours of 14:00hrs and 20:00hrs, with absolutely no running of such motorcycles (be it either the running of engines whilst the bike is stationary or otherwise) outside of those times.

REASON:  In the interests of securing a use that does not unreasonably present a noise nuisance to surrounding residential occupiers.

3.         The use hereby permitted shall cease and the land restored to its original conditions within 28 days of the date of the failure to meet any one of the requirements set out in (i)-(v) below:

(i)            Within one month of the date of this planning permission a Event Management Plan (EMP) shall have been submitted for the written approval of the Local Planning Authority. The Event Management Plan shall be a comprehensive document detailing how the site and each event upon it will be managed, and in particular, shall include measures to keep noise levels generated by the use of the site to an absolute minimum.  The Event Management Plan, as a minimum, shall include details of how bikes are to be individually checked for compliance with relevant governing body noise emission (Auto Cycle Union) limits prior to use; specification of maximum numbers of motorcycles being run at the site at any one time; a detailed plan for the installation and intended use of PA system during events; a commitment to the provision of at least one period during each of the 14 days the site is used when no motorcycles are in use (such a period shall be of at least 1 hour in length); details of measures for ensuring public health and safety; measures to avoid site contamination; detailed commitment to remove all temporary structures from the site and the restoration of the land to its former condition as agricultural land upon the permanent cessation of motocross (or any other form of motorized vehicle racing and/or practice) and details on how the progamme will be made available to residents. 

(ii)          Within one month of the date of this planning permission a plan detailing the measures to manage arrivals and departures from the site on each of the 14 days this permission allows for, shall have been submitted for the written approval of the Local Planning Authority.  Such details shall include a commitment to implement and enforce phased arrivals and departures from the site.  Future use of the site shall be entirely in accordance with the details contained within the submitted and agreed Noise Management Plan.

(iii)         Within four months of the date of this decision the Event Management Plan (referred to in (i)) and the arrival and departure details (referred to in (ii)) shall have been approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority or if the Local Planning Authority refuse to approve the scheme, or fail to give a decision within the prescribed period, an appeal shall have been made to the, and accepted as validly made, by the Secretary of State.

(iv)         If an appeal is made in pursuance of (iii) above, that appeal shall have been finally determined and the submitted Event Management Plan and arrivals/departures plan shall have been approved by the Secretary of State.

(v)          The approved scheme shall be carried out and operated in complete accordance with the approved details and timetable set out in this condition.

REASON:  In the interests of securing a use that does not unreasonably present a noise nuisance to surrounding residential occupiers and to ensure the use of the site does not result in the surrounding highway network becoming being placed under strain in the event of participants and spectators arriving and departing from the site within a short timeframe.

4.        The temporary “porta-loo” block on the site shall be completely removed from the site in the event of events ceasing to take place for a period of 6 weeks or longer.  At which time it shall be removed permanently from the site and shall not be reinstalled on the site until the recommencement of events on the site thereafter.

REASON:  To ensure the removal of a temporary structure when the site is not in use.

To be advised as additional information.

Informative:

1.    The development hereby permitted shall be implemented in accordance with the submitted plans and documents listed below. No variation from the approved plans should be made without the prior approval of the local planning authority. Amendments may require the submission of a further application.

Site location plan, date stamped 11^th October 2011

LPC/2798/2 – Site layout plan, date stamped 9^th September 2011

LPC/2798/3 – Sections 1, date stamped 9^th September 2011

REASON: To ensure that the development is implemented as approved