Devon TRF Group Forum

The Petition (from 2009):
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to implement a fair set of planning regulations for motocross tracks, that once met the councils must grant planning permission.

I am doing this petition for everyone who loves motocross, but most of all my 9 year old son. He loves riding his motorbike, it's his passion. When we heard our local track was closing and we knew from experience that the only other practice track in kent has flooding problems, I felt we had to try and get involved. I have spoken to the owners of Riverside MX and they have told me the reasons why the council are closing them down. The council sets out rules they have to follow including noise levels, which they did. They were trying to renew their permission when the council refused. After applying to the secretary of state who dissagreed with the councils findings the permission was still not granted, due to introducing a noisy activity into an otherwise tranquil area.PPG 2 policy for the use of greenbelt states it should be used for outdoor sport and recreation. Surely this should cover motorcross yet permission was not granted. A fair set of guidlines needs to be established to keep this much loved sport for the youth of today and generations to come.

Government Response (today):
We hope that local councils can be as sympathetic as possible to sporting activities that young people enjoy, but there are also other concerns they will need to take into account.

In handling planning applications for development proposals, including motocross projects, local councils will need to consider a broad range of issues. They will want to make sure they have sufficient information on any impacts a project might have on a locality and will normally consult neighbours in the vicinity and others with an interest. They will assess whether a proposed development is acceptable in terms of their local plan and other considerations, which can include national planning policy. They will want to ensure that proposals do not unacceptably affect the local environment.

The Coalition Agreement we have published explains that we will radically reform the planning system to give neighbourhoods far more ability to determine the shape of the places in which their inhabitants live. We have also said we will publish and present to Parliament a simple and consolidated national planning framework covering all forms of development and setting out national economic, environmental and social priorities. In developing this framework the responsible Department, Communities and Local Government, will bear this petition in mind.