SELECTED BRIEF CIRCUIT CASE HISTORIES

NB - the following information, listed alphabetically, has initially been compiled from internet search engines and anecdotal evidence.  As this facility develops, it is hoped that the circuits themselves will keep us updated with the latest developments. 

Stories concerning circuits not yet in the list are welcomed.  Please provide source information.

Brands Hatch – May 2008 – “MotorSport Vision which owns the UK’s Brands Hatch in Kent, has signed a signed an agreement to reduce noise and disturbances at its race events.”

Castle Combe noise restrictions limit the potential for motorbike track days. Due to noise restrictions self-owned karts cannot be used at this track. The circuit has been stopped from running Formula 3 and GT meetings, its biggest form of income. In 2005 – “The future of motorsport at the Castle Combe circuit in Chippenham, Wiltshire is under threat after villagers in nearby Yatton Keynell, complained to the district council that the noise from Formula Three meetings at the circuit was too loud. North Wiltshire Council noise experts agreed and served an order on the circuit.” Later in 2005 – “A Magistrates Court in Chippenham, Wiltshire dismissed an appeal by the owner of the Castle Combe circuit against a statutory notice regarding noise control. In a hearing that lasted for three days; the Court did not vary the Notice and awarded costs to the local North Wiltshire District Council.”

Curborough sprint venue in Staffordshire has suffered generally from noise complaints despite being a former airfield.  The venue is currently under threat from the development of housing and associated infrastructure and it is ironic that the environmental study carried out for this purpose partially justifies the noise from future construction and operation as acceptable in that "many species of bird from within this area are already habituated to higher noise levels".

Donington Park, despite being one of the UK’s premier facilities and adjacent to the noise-producing M1, East Midlands Airport and within an industrial area including a huge DHL distribution depot, has suffered from unreasonable and disproportionate restrictions meaning that motorcycle track days for example are limited mostly to road-legal decibel levels. Racing and official pre-race practice at Donington are restricted to 40 days a year despite user commentary that drivers and riders can't hear their own engines when  plane takes off from East Midlands airport directly over the start-finish straight.

Elvington’s local council served a noise abatement order on the airfield in 2005 and in November 2006 a district judge imposed restrictions.

July 2009...

"York taxpayers facing six-figure bill after Elvington Airfield Formula 1 noise decision".

TAXPAYERS in York have been landed with a six-figure bill, after council leaders lost their lengthy legal battle over noise on the city’s outskirts.

Elvington Park Ltd (EPL) and City of York Council have been locked in a bitter wrangle for more than four years, over the testing of Formula 1 cars on Elvington Airfield.

The council had issued noise abatement orders against the firm, but after an eight-day hearing, a High Court judge yesterday ruled that those orders were invalid, as they did not tell the company what actions to take to reduce the disturbance.

The blunder cost the council the case, and means it must pay its own and the company’s legal costs. An EPL spokesman said the costs would run into hundreds of thousands of pounds on each side.

It must also go back to square one in its attempts to end the row between EPL and local residents.

Mr Justice Silber said: “If an abatement notice requires not merely abatement of noise, but also steps to be taken, they should be specified.

“But if, as in the present case, the notices did not do so, they are invalid.”

The judge said: “I can understand why those who live close to the airfield will be disappointed. This conclusion means that the council will have to consider serving new abatement notices.”

A spokesman for EPL said: “Elvington feels that it has been reasonable throughout this process and that the council has acted unreasonably and not in the best interests of the majority of people who live in the area.

“EPL has taken considerable steps, through its noise management plan, to address the concerns of the few who remain opposed to any use of the airfield.”

Mike Southcombe, the council’s environmental protection manager, said: “We are very disappointed at the High Court’s decision.

“However, we are encouraged that we were right to serve a notice, as a noise nuisance existed.

“Our aim now will be to work with the airfield owners and local residents to ensure that the residents no longer experience a noise nuisance.”

Ian Bailey, chairman of Elvington Parish Council, said: “I am surprised and I am very disappointed for those residents who are particularly affected by the noise.

“I hope the council can come to an agreement with EPL regarding reasonable activities on the airfield.”

Mr Justice Silber urged the two parties to try to seek mediation, rather than going through legal proceedings again.

Last year, there was a separate dispute between the council and EPL, over the latter’s plans to expand the airfield’s capacity, but that plan was thrown out by a planning inspector.

Goodwood’s potential to stage further events is limited by strict local environmental restrictions (i.e. noise limits). Corporate entertainment, race tuition, experience days and track days are offered at the circuit by third party companies, and these account for around 220 non-event days of activity a year, however noise restrictions mean that only five 'noisy' vehicles, or ten 'well-silenced vehicles', are allowed on the track at any time.

Hardwick Moto-Cross Park in County Durham is the only remaining facility of note in the county for off-road practice and leisure but is subject to persistent attempts by the District Council to close it down on noise grounds despite it having limited opening hours, being adjacent to the A1 motorway and otherwise distant from housing.  A public meeting will decide its fate in late 2009.

Lydden Hill is not allowed to operate on Sunday mornings until church services finish and is known to have fought long local battles on the noise front resulting in very restricted use.

Oulton Park – January 2007 – “A series of detailed noise studies conducted on behalf of the circuit's liaison group, by environmental consultants engaged by the Vale Royal Borough Council, has prompted MSV to agree to noise restrictions being put in place.”

Romford Speedway was closed down due to an individual noise complaint.

Snetterton – “In February 2007, Breckland Council began legal proceedings against MSV following a number of complaints about loud and intrusive noise causing a nuisance to nearby villagers. However it has now scrapped the noise abatement notice agreeing to a range of measures”. July 2008 – “A £10 million scheme to redevelop the Snetterton race circuit in Norfolk has been postponed to allow more discussion over the noise impact of a planned extension of the track. Residents have lived side by side with the track for 30 years with few issues, but over the last few years there has been tension, disharmony, and patience is running thin.”

Thruxton tends not to operate track days because of severe local noise restrictions.

Wildtracks – November 2005 – “The owners of the Wildtracks off-road activity park near Newmarket face legal action to stop noise from motorcycle racing. East Cambridgeshire District Council officials are to start enforcement action against the owners”

Ty Croes – October 2007 – “The circuit’s owners said, “One of the principal drivers with regards to the re-configuration of the circuit was the need to deliver noise reduction. The new track configuration was designed to ensure the noisiest parts were taken out and that the new configuration guarantees delivery of agreed noise limits.”