Track plans 'should be refused'

Nigel Mansell has said karts were no noisier than a normal road car

Planners are recommending refusal for a proposal by racing champion Nigel Mansell to develop a kart track in east Devon.

The former motor-racing world champion wants to expand the Dunkeswell go-kart track which he bought last year.

Some residents have protested against the plans, saying they fear traffic, noise and pollution rises.

East Devon District Council planning committee is debating the officers' report on 31 October.

'Adverse effects'

The 53-year-old track legend bought the kart track and club, which operates from a former World War II airbase.

His plans for the 30-year-old circuit - inlcuding for a 30,000 square-foot, two-floor complex of new pits, workshops and facilities for visitors and users - has caused uproar in surrounding rural communities.

In July, more than 650 protesters from 26 surrounding villages protested outside the club after a march from Dunkeswell.

The 23-page report to the district council's planning committee concluded some of the work would have an adverse impact on the Blackdown Hills area.

It said: "The impact of the proposed structure, either in combination with other proposed buildings or in isolation would have an adverse effect upon the natural beauty of the Blackdown Hills AONB [area of outstanding natural beauty] by reason of its height and scale."

Visual inspection

It said about 780 people had written objecting to the proposal but there were also 150 letters of support, plus a petition of 275 signatures, saying the improvements would make the track an asset to the area.

East Devon District Council said the decision could be deferred and members of its planning inspections committee sent to the site to inspect it.

Campaigners welcomed the report but said they would keep up the pressure against the development.

Mr Mansell has said he was very sympathetic to residents, assuring them noise would be muffled by metal fence, and noise limits would monitored to ensure environment limits were observed.