Noise could close speedway track

The St Boniface arena is the only 'first-class' speedway track in Devon

A speedway track in Plymouth is facing closure because it is "too noisy".

The Marsh Mills track is being recommended for refusal by Plymouth city planners next week.

The owners want to make the site permanent and despite a lot of support in its first season, hundreds of people have signed petitions about the noise.

Speedway promoter, Mike Bowden, said: "I've put a lot of effort in to bringing speedway back to the city. I'll fight any decision to close it".

Uncertain future

Speedway is now in its second season at the St Boniface arena, and organisers had hoped to put it on a more permanent footing with an application to the city council to continue there in the longer-term.

But a report to next week's planning committee recommends refusal. It says there are concerns about traffic, flooding and noise.

It adds that even if the first two obstacles could be overcome, the issue of noise cannot.

Hundreds of people have written letters and signed petitions both against and in favour of the application.

The St Boniface arena is home to the Plymouth Devils, who are currently Devon's only speedway team.