Motor Sport in the Countryside under threat again - YOUR HELP IS NEEDED

Written by AMCA OFFICE Friday, 08 July 2011 00:00

The Government has published an Issues Paper which states that motor sport events (sporting trials, moto-cross, etc.) give rise to ‘significant concerns’, and invites comments and views on changing the ‘14/28 Day Rule’ under which most off-road sport is organised. If you are interested in off-road sport, your urgent assistance is needed!

Under the 14/28 Day Rule an event organiser does not have to apply for planning permission for the ‘change of use’ of the land, on the day of the event, from agricultural to motor sport. To have to so apply would be an enormous burden on clubs, farmers and planning authorities for no real benefit.

Haven’t we been here before? Back in 2002 there was a Government consultation on restricting or scrapping permitted development rights (the 14/28 Day Rule) for motor sport.
LARA carried out a survey of all motor sport events on one ‘sample weekend’ in that year, and followed that up with a survey of any problems arising from these events. Quite simply, the Government’s consultants were confusing ‘cowboy activity’ and practice tracks with properly organised events. Following LARA’s submission to the consultation the proposal was not taken further. Now it is back.

The Government’s paper has been issued by the Department for Communities and Local Government and is titled: How change of use is handled in the planning system – tell us what you think. Issues paper. June 2011. This is available as a PDF download at: www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/changeuseissues or click here to download.

You can read the Minister’s announcement at: www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/1930564

LARA’s advice is that everyone who has an interest in off-road motor sport should make a response to your Mr Wilkes, (contact details in the above download), stressing that Permitted Development Rights are essential to the continued running of a spor t that now has over 100 years of tradition in the countryside, with over 5,000 events a year in England and Wales, which run to strict safety and environmental rules, and which cause few if any problems. Simply, there is no evidence-based reason to change the current system. LARA has prepared a Briefing Paper on the issue and how to make a response.You can download this and other related papers from www.laragb.org

For more information contact Alan Kind on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it