Aldermaston banger racing given green light

Plans approved despite residents' concerns over noise levels

BANGER racing will continue to be allowed to take place in Aldermaston, despite concerns that noise levels would be detrimental to nearby residents.

Mr Malcolm Roberts, who runs the track at Blacks Lake, Paices Hill, was seeking full planning permission to carry on using the land for race meetings.

Aldermaston Parish Council had registered strong objections, while Conservative ward member Dominic Boeck also expressed concern over the impact noise levels were having on residents.

After a 90-minute discussion and debate at last week’s West Berkshire Council planning committee, however, councillors agreed to grant planning permission on the condition it would only be used for meetings 14 days of the year.

Speaking after the meeting, one supporter, Fiona Brocks, said: “It was the answer we were all looking for.

“I have a son who visits the track regularly to race. We have been supporting the track for many years and previous to my son, my husband raced when this was a dirt track.

“May this track stay open for many years to come as so many people from all ages support the sport and enjoy their hobby and socialising.”

In its objection, Aldermaston Parish Council said: “We do not support the conclusions of the planning officer.

“We believe inadequate attention has been given to the reasons for objection raised by Aldermaston Parish Council and to the considered views of the Planning Inspector who dismissed the appeals in 2014 that are very relevant to this application.

“In their letter to the applicant dated October 2 2014, WBC (West Berkshire Council) advised that failure to comply with the Planning Inspector’s appeal decision would constitute a criminal offence.

“Despite this letter, the appellant continued to hold race meetings, and still makes unauthorised residential use of the site.

“We have no confidence that the appellant would comply with conditions imposed with any planning approval.”

It added that the noise from the site during events is intrusive for many people across the parish and travels as far as Aldermaston village, Baughurst and Tadley.

In the paperwork, however, planning officers said: “The fact that planning permission was granted for a similar racing circuit in 1993 is an important material consideration.

“Given that this decision relates to the same site and in similar conditions, this previous decision represents a genuine precedent that indicates that planning permission should be granted unless there have been significant changes in planning policy or physical changes to the site or surrounding area since the previous decision.”

As part of the application, Mr Roberts also asked for permission for practice sessions throughout the week, where competitors would be able to visit the circuit to practice for a few hours.

There were 31 supporters and only six objectors to the plans, although councillors raised the point that all of the supporters were from outside the district and all objectors from West Berkshire.

The race track has grown in popularity over the years with an average of 170 people attending over the last 21 events.

Historically, some form of motor racing has been taking place at the site for several decades.

This use ceased in 2004, however, and was abandoned until 2009 when the applicant constructed a new circuit and began using the site for motor vehicle racing.

West Berkshire Council says the current planning permission applied for is required because the former use was abandoned.

During the meeting, Mr Roberts asked councillors to consider allowing him to use the site for up to 26 days per year.

They decided to limit it to 14, however, saying the council had to take the planning inspectors’ previous observations into account.