Application 06/0319 for Dunkeswell kart track

We recommend refusal of this application for the following reasons-

The building is clearly intended to facilitate a major increase in motor sport activities, far beyond those which already are a source of many complaints from neighbouring residents of Dunkeswell, Sheldon and elsewhere. We object to any increase in activity on this site.

The noise levels from the 2-stroke karts and from the sprint racing makes life a misery for those within hearing distance. The noise reducing fence has made some improvement, although this has not been adequately measured, but a noise consultant has stated that the noise level verges on a statutory public nuisance. Any increase in the frequency of the use of these vehicles is unacceptable.

Traffic to and from the site is already a problem, both in terms of volume and of the excessive speed and poor behaviour of the drivers. Any increase in this kind of traffic is unacceptable; the traffic assessment produced by the applicant is laughably inaccurate in its descriptions of the local roads, provides figures that do not add up, bases its traffic figures on inadequate measures and proposes traffic plans which are most unlikely to work.

There is already pollution from exhausts, which should not be allowed to increase, and the application shows late evening meetings which would be likely to create light pollution, now potentially regarded as a public nuisance.

Suggestions about economic benefit to the area have been advanced, but never quantified. Experience elsewhere has shown that benefits are likely to small if not non-existent, and there could be serious damage to local enterprises from the enormous 280 seat restaurant bar proposed. The economic portfolio holder at EDDC sees no economic benefit accruing.

The potential damage to the AONB of a large building, over 8 metres high with flagpoles along the top, situated nearly 1km outside the limit of the village laid down in the Local Plan, has produced a major series of objections from the Blackdown Hills AONB Rural Partnership, which we wholly support. The statutory duty of EDDC to ‘have regard to the conservation and enhancement of the AONB’, and their signing of the AONB agreement as a funding partner, would both be seriously prejudiced by supporting this application.

The Civil Aviation Authority has objected formally to this application, on the grounds that the building obstructs the flight path to the neighbouring runway. We support the objection made by Air Westward Ltd on these grounds.

The application has produced extensive opposition from many residents of surrounding parishes, and protest groups have been set up determined to achieve refusal of the application. We support them in their efforts.

Overall, there are government policies in PPGs and PPSs, policies in Devon Structure Plan and East Devon Local Plan which have been elaborated by other parties, which provide the planning evidence to refuse this application. We hope you will follow this line.