Opposition forces off-road U-turn

Campaigners said the site was too close to residential houses

Plans to site a council-run off-road motorbike track in the Swansea Valley are set to be ditched in the face of opposition from people living nearby.

Swansea Council received more than 1,100 letters objecting to the development at Garth Farm in Ynystawe.

Cabinet member Joan Peters has told councillors she is now recommending the planning application is withdrawn and a new site identified.

Campaigners said they were "thrilled to bits" at the news.

The council has had Welsh Assembly Government funding to build the track, which it hopes will reduce the problem of off-road motorbikes being used illegally on scrubland, parks, or common land.

The council and its officers have listened carefully to what people have said Joan Peters, cabinet member

In a letter to fellow councillors Ms Peters said the scheme would still go-ahead, but in a different location.

She said: "The council and its officers have listened carefully to what people have said.

"Everyone we have spoken to, including people who live near Garth Farm, believe that the problem of illegal off-road motorcycling needs to be addressed.

"I will be recommending to cabinet that we withdraw the planning application and use the lessons gained from the consultation process to develop our next steps."

"Kicking and screaming"

Opponents said the planned site was too close to residential properties.

Campaign coordinator Pam Webber told the BBC Wales news website: "I'm just thrilled to bits and so is everyone else.

Around 200 people attended a meeting to oppose the scheme

"It shows a close knit community with right on your side can win through."

Some 1,126 letters opposed to the plan, along with a petition signed by 1,456, people were handed in to the council.

Around 200 people attended one meeting to launch the campaign.

Councillor Lawrence Bailey said: "Our view is that Swansea Council had to be dragged kicking and screaming into consulting with the community.

"They kept the scheme under wraps for a nearly a year and then they tried to rush it through in a matter of weeks, with inevitable consequences.

"When residents and their representatives pointed out the substantial flaws in the report, the council had no option to listen or else end up with a legal challenge on their hands.

"We only hope that cabinet members and officers learn from these lessons before looking elsewhere to provide this much needed facility."