Prospective MP Steve Brine is speaking up for residents as controversial motocross application reaches decision time.
More than 2,000 people have already aired their views about plans to host motocross on a site north of the city.
It has pitched angry nearby villagers worried about noise against enthusiasts of the sport who want somewhere to race. Applicant, Tony Child, has asked Winchester City Council planners for permanent permission to host race meetings at Three Maids Hill, near the A34. A temporary five-year licence expired in April.
More than 500 residents from Littleton, South Wonston and even Crawley have objected to the proposals, which will be heard by the planning committee on Thursday, July 23.
Steve Brine, Prospective Conservative MP for Winchester, said he had recently met local residents opposed to the proposal. He said: “Motocross is an exhilarating activity, which I know provides a great deal of pleasure for those who take part. No-one, least of all me, wishes to condemn the sport, or those who do it, but, like anything, it has to be balanced with the impact it has on the local community versus the benefit it brings.
“There is no doubt that residents in South Wonston, Littleton and even Crawley are deeply unhappy at the prospect of this site receiving a permanent licence.”
One of those opposing is Littleton Stud, who said the noise made part of its 187-acre site redundant. “The noise is absolutely appalling,” said manager David Bowe. “You can’t even sit in the garden here, because it just wears you down. “I just feel that the motocross is situated in the wrong place and it’s affecting around 3,000 houses in Littleton. The feeling around here is very, very strong. When you work on a stud farm, you hope you’re going to be in the countryside, but it’s not the case here. It’s like having a chainsaw going constantly in your back garden. It is soul-destroying.”
The applicants want to hold up to 12 race meetings a year, including one over two consecutive days. In addition, they are asking the council to put on 12 Saturday practice sessions a year, between 10am and 4pm. They also want to increase the number of corporate and leisure days put on at the racetrack, which would feature off-road quad bikes, 4x4 and buggies.
David Selby, of South Wonston Parish Council, said he thought the majority of villagers had issues with noise from the site. He said when the wind was blowing in the right — or wrong — direction, more than half of South Wonston’s home were affected. “It’s like a bee in your ear,” he said. “To sit outside when the motocross is on is certainly not a pleasure.”
Mr Child said there had been 1,600 letters supporting his scheme, more than three times the number of objections.He admitted that letter templates had been sent out by both groups, but said around 800 of his supporters had Hampshire postcodes.
“We’re extremely confident [of getting the plans approved],” he said.
“Tracks like this are needed. The youth of today don’t have a lot to do and if they are here practising, then they are not on the streets causing trouble.”
A city council spokesman said 528 had objected to the proposals, while 436 had written in support, 34 of which were from the Winchester district.
He added that the authority had received 1,042 template letters supporting the plans, but that these had been counted as a single petition.
Steve Brine TV link - watch a short-film on this subject courtesy of www.stevebrine.tv
This article first appeared in The Hampshire Chronicle.