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Croft motor racing circuit loses noise appeal (From The Northern Echo)
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Croft motor racing circuit loses noise appeal
11:24am Monday 26th January 2009
A RACING circuit today lost its appeal against a legal case brought by a couple and their daughter who say their lives have been blighted by noise from the track.
Croft Circuit, near Darlington, was also hit with an injunction, restricting "noisy activities" at the track to just 40 days-a-year.
Derek and Julia Watson and their daughter, Jill Wilson, all live within about 300 metres of the circuit, in Dalton-on-Tees, and say their enjoyment of their homes has for years been gravely affected by the "loud, intrusive and repetitive noise".
In an extremely rare decision in April last year, High Court judge, Mr Justice Simon, ruled all three had been victims of "noise nuisance" and ordered the circuit's tenants - Croft Promo-Sport Ltd - to pay Mr and Mrs Watson £109,600 damages, and Mrs Wilson £40,000.
Croft Promo-Sport had its appeal against that order dismissed by judges today.
However the issuing of the injunction will result in a reduction in the residents' damages payouts, which were largely based on the reduction in value of their homes caused by the noise nuisance.
Croft Promo Sport also faces massive legal costs bills. The Watsons and Mrs Wilson were represented by top QC, David Hart, and their legal costs bills alone have been put at around £700,000.
At London's Appeal Court, Croft Promo-Sport had argued that Mr Justice Simon was "plainly wrong" to rule in favour of the Watsons.
Richard Jones QC, for the company, argued that 1963 and 1988 planning permissions granted for the race track - formerly a World War 2 aerodrome and first used for racing in 1949 - had "changed the character" of the area to such an extent that the noise levels were reasonable.
He added that noise and other issues relating to the racetrack had been carefully considered by expert planning inspectors during two public inquiries and a balance struck between the interests of local residents and the public amenity value of the circuit.
The QC said the court decision would have serious implications for the future use of the racetrack and had left Croft Promo-Sport not only exposed to enormous legal costs bills, but also open to other potential claims by an "uncertain number" of other neighbouring landowners.
However, Appeal Court judge, Sir Andrew Morritt, today said he could find no legal flaw in Mr Justice Simon's conclusion that the Watsons and Mrs Wilson had suffered an "actionable nuisance".
Sir Andrew, sitting with Lord Justice Richards and Lady Justice Hallett, also ruled it was "illogical" of Mr Justice Simon to deny the trio an injunction, restricting the number of days to 40 on which "noisy activities" can take place at the racetrack.
Croft Promo-Sport were refused permission to appeal further to the House of Lords and ordered to pay more than £120,000 in legal costs straight away. That will be only a fraction of the total lawyers' bills faced by the company.
The objection by the Watsons and Mrs Wilson was not to car and motorbike racing events, which take place on the track on about 45-50 days-a-year, but to "vehicle testing days" and "track days", when members of the public drive cars around the track all day long at high speed.
Croft Promo-Sport Ltd has a leasehold interest in the circuit, which is managed by Croft Classic and Historic Motor Sports Ltd (CCHM). CCHM was set up in 1994 by Mr Jimmy Wilson - who was married to Jill Wilson between 1987 and 1994 - along with Trevor Chaytor-Norris and his wife Katherine, who is the owner of the Croft Motor Circuit.
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Your Say YourNorth-East
hairy dan, croft says...
12:36pm Mon 26 Jan 09
philc, darlington says...
12:38pm Mon 26 Jan 09
Marktrack, Luton says...
1:25pm Mon 26 Jan 09
Andyleigh, Tudhoe says...
1:27pm Mon 26 Jan 09
johnmc, croft on tees says...
1:41pm Mon 26 Jan 09
Dan81, Hurworth Place says...
2:04pm Mon 26 Jan 09
grove, D'Ton says...
2:22pm Mon 26 Jan 09
dougmum, Leeds says...
2:23pm Mon 26 Jan 09
big arnie, Darlo says...
2:43pm Mon 26 Jan 09
Still, I'm having a word with the council about the tree outside my house. There's a sparrow keeps **** in it and I can't sleep. Kerching.
PettyComplainer, Darlington says...
2:52pm Mon 26 Jan 09
Sorry, I was typing a bit loud then..!
Ninja Rider, Stockton says...
3:00pm Mon 26 Jan 09
the simple, Darlington says...
3:00pm Mon 26 Jan 09
harry2, darlington says...
3:04pm Mon 26 Jan 09
and if a problem move houses there are other houses
BTCC fan, Near Brands Hatch says...
3:23pm Mon 26 Jan 09
Barr1e, shildon says...
3:29pm Mon 26 Jan 09
having used croft myself the noise limits are nothing in comparison to race days and the numbers of people taking part are limited also.
it all seems to that these moaning people should be ashamed of themseves as it looks like they are out to make a few quid. pure shamefull and i hope i never bump into these people.
dippyone, sedgefield says...
3:30pm Mon 26 Jan 09
stevebrown, bishop auckland says...
3:32pm Mon 26 Jan 09
ianh, hurworth says...
3:57pm Mon 26 Jan 09
Given the info re the family connections to the circuit this appears to have been driven out of spite with no appreciation for the effect it will have on local buisness nor indeed the sporting prestiege of the area.
As a resident of Hurworth (1 mile from croft) it is very apparent how much business is done locally, both for meetings and trackdays, when pubs and hotels are extremely busy as a result.
I wonder if the judge will take a similar stance when our village has the largest golf course in europe with all of the traffic and congestion that will bring with it?
ianh, hurworth says...
4:02pm Mon 26 Jan 09
if the track has to fold as a result of this action can i suggest it is returned to its original purpose?
ie for RAF bombers to fly from!
then perhaps these idiots may really have something to complain about!
petershaw, darlington says...
4:06pm Mon 26 Jan 09
philc, darlington says...
4:30pm Mon 26 Jan 09
TOM BRAVINGTON, CONSETT says...
4:33pm Mon 26 Jan 09
ianh, hurworth says...
4:56pm Mon 26 Jan 09
why have the local council not made their support for this major local facility clear? (hambleton/n.yorks c.c.)
I am no lover of darlington borough council but when the local football club have been (repeatedly) in troubly dbc have consistantly helped it as it is seen as a vital local facility. So were is the support for croft from their authority when its needed?
350zgt, Darlington says...
5:04pm Mon 26 Jan 09
At a time when the north east is losing so many jobs the actions of a selfish minority could have lost hundreds more directly and indirectly in terms of loss of revenue from race meetings.
This sets a dangerous precedent for all motor racing venues across the country a lot of which are far less courteous neighbours than Croft. I don’t know another circuit with stricter controls on both noise and hours of operation. So watch this space Brands Hatch, Silverstone, Donington etc this could be you next. I assume the Watson’s will also be making a similar claim against the East Coast Mainline which runs within very close proximity and Teesside Airport while they are on. Pretty soon they will have a nice house a baron wasteland as they will have shut everything else down around about them.
Well I hope they are happy that they have potentially ruined one of the North Easts few national standard sporting venues that is enjoyed by thousands of people bringing millions of pounds into the local economy.
The only winners from this are the fat cat lawyers who are laughing all the way to the bank.
I really hope there is some way Croft can survive this injustice and am confident they have the backing of the majority of the people in the northeast and the all of the motorsport community. I just wish this had been brought to public attention via the local media at an earlier stage and perhaps weight of public opinion may have seen common sense prevail.
Sad sad day to be British.
Sensible Sam, Hunton says...
5:05pm Mon 26 Jan 09
the simple, Darlington says...
5:32pm Mon 26 Jan 09
the simple, Darlington says...
5:35pm Mon 26 Jan 09
the simple, Darlington says...
5:40pm Mon 26 Jan 09
Derwent, Derwent says...
5:48pm Mon 26 Jan 09
As for accomodation, the last time I competed at Croft I ened up in a hotel near Richmond as every where was booked up nearer the track and that was for a club meeting!
BarryS, Belfast says...
5:50pm Mon 26 Jan 09
350zgt, Darlington says...
5:51pm Mon 26 Jan 09
the simple wrote:Croft Spa Hotel?
Most of the competitors stay in tents and caravans and bring their owm booze and food . Which hotel benifits?
the simple, Darlington says...
6:05pm Mon 26 Jan 09
What has the BBC and Gazza got to do with a legal case in the north east?
I rest my case
GeoffH, Hartlepool says...
6:07pm Mon 26 Jan 09
the simple wrote:The hotel that the family who brought this case wanted to build there a few years ago would certainly have benefitted. The noise did not seem to be an issue back then, did it ?
Most of the competitors stay in tents and caravans and bring their owm booze and food . Which hotel benifits?
the simple, Darlington says...
6:08pm Mon 26 Jan 09
the simple, Darlington says...
6:11pm Mon 26 Jan 09
Did they get planning permission?
BTCC fan, Near Brands Hatch says...
6:13pm Mon 26 Jan 09
the simple wrote:I live near Brands Hatch and haven't felt the need to complain about any events held there. I also live near a bus stop, church and a branch of Battersea Dogs Home - haven't complained about them either. I chose to live where I did and therefore live with the noise.
All these coments from biased people. How many of them wants to live next to croft , I am certain theres plenty of houses for sale near the circuit. Another case of Not in My back Yard Everyone's stupid except them. Notice how they never answer a question they only slag objectors off.
As for "All these coments from biased people" it's hardly our fault that those in favour haven't come on here to express their opinions is it!?!
350zgt, Darlington says...
6:18pm Mon 26 Jan 09
BTCC fan wrote:Well said that man. I live in a non-descript semi detached house in off the shelf housing estate in Darlington. I would quite happily swap the Watsons for their house that is so awfull. You pays your money you makes your choice
the simple wrote: All these coments from biased people. How many of them wants to live next to croft , I am certain theres plenty of houses for sale near the circuit. Another case of Not in My back Yard Everyone's stupid except them. Notice how they never answer a question they only slag objectors off.I live near Brands Hatch and haven't felt the need to complain about any events held there. I also live near a bus stop, church and a branch of Battersea Dogs Home - haven't complained about them either. I chose to live where I did and therefore live with the noise. As for "All these coments from biased people" it's hardly our fault that those in favour haven't come on here to express their opinions is it!?!
GeoffH, Hartlepool says...
6:18pm Mon 26 Jan 09
the simple wrote:Whether planning permission was granted or not is irrelevant.
The hotel that the family who brought this case wanted to build there a few years ago would certainly have benefitted. The noise did not seem to be an issue back then, did it ?
Did they get planning permission?
They sought to gain from increased activity at the Circuit, but when the former Circuit Manager and his wife went their separate ways, the ex-wife and her parents later launched this case based on the very same activities they sought to profit from.
the simple, Darlington says...
6:20pm Mon 26 Jan 09
Kat99, Darlington says...
6:20pm Mon 26 Jan 09
Hopefully, their legal bills will massively outweigh any money they get. I sincerely hope that this doesn't signal the start of the end for racing at Croft. It's a great and very popular amenity.
the simple, Darlington says...
6:23pm Mon 26 Jan 09
They must have been in the House of Lords once
GeoffH, Hartlepool says...
6:30pm Mon 26 Jan 09
Kat99 wrote:Legal costs won't be their problem as the losing party usually has to pay, thus exposing the Circuit to huge costs. The figure of £700,000 has been mentioned.
I'm at a loss to understand the Judge's decision. If these people moved in and the track was already there, then surely they shouldn't have grounds to complain?
Hopefully, their legal bills will massively outweigh any money they get. I sincerely hope that this doesn't signal the start of the end for racing at Croft. It's a great and very popular amenity.
It may also open the floodgates to other claims against the Circuit.
TOM BRAVINGTON, CONSETT says...
6:37pm Mon 26 Jan 09
the simple wrote:YES I WOULD LOVE TO LIVE NEAR CROFT , IT WOULD BE IDEAL FOR ME , BUT I,M AFRAID ITS NOT THAT SIMPLE. HOW COME ITS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE THESE SELFISH PEOPLE REALISE THAT IF YOU DONT LIKE THE SOUND OF MOTOR BIKES AND CARS RACING AROUND A RACE TRACK ......DONT MOVE NEXT TO ONE !!!!!!!!! WHY THE HELL SHOULD PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT THE RACE CIRCUIT HAVE TO GIVE THESE PEOPLE MONEY, THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE CHOSE TO LIVE THERE , THE TRACK WAS THERE FIRST!!! , OR IS THAT WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT ?!!!MONEY!!!!
If all these people want this event to happen why don't they offer to buy the house from these people. How many hotels and pubs are used by people attending these events?
GeoffH, Hartlepool says...
6:45pm Mon 26 Jan 09
It is NOT a straightforward noise complaint. The noise issue is simply a convenient stick to beat the circuit with.
"Hell hath no fury"....i'm sure you know the rest of that saying.
1510, Croft says...
6:50pm Mon 26 Jan 09
1510, Croft says...
6:59pm Mon 26 Jan 09
the simple wrote:all around the area hotels, B+Bs and pubs benifit from the Circuit. Including US here at Clow Beck House!!
Most of the competitors stay in tents and caravans and bring their owm booze and food . Which hotel benifits?
the simple, Darlington says...
7:16pm Mon 26 Jan 09
Jammybstard, Barton says...
7:17pm Mon 26 Jan 09
If you want to turn the area into a giant retirement home; this the way to go about it!
GeoffH, Hartlepool says...
7:22pm Mon 26 Jan 09
Jammybstard wrote:Well you know the sort of people who like to occupy large areas of unused land in this country...At least we'll know where to go to have our driveways re-surfaced.
Plain Stupid
If you want to turn the area into a giant retirement home; this the way to go about it!
1510, Croft says...
7:23pm Mon 26 Jan 09
the simple wrote:There is another hotel in croft, an award winning one, who do have loyal and dedicated staff. This would be us.
' Well paid jobs at the Croft Spa Hotel ' ' loyal and dedicated staff'
lightening-joe, Silsden says...
7:30pm Mon 26 Jan 09
Now anyone living next to any venue that could possibly be deemed as 'noisy' will have the right to claim compensation. These greedy, money grabbing killjoys have in effect paved the way for every freeloader to 'have a go' just as the first liar to jump out of his car, rubbing his neck after being rear ended at 2 MPH, did.
These people are stealing our money but worse than that, they are stealing our freedom.
Someone said, and I quote: The Motor racing fans should rip the wig from that judges head and stick it up his **** It might just shock him to his senses.
The whole law society needs replacing with one that is founded on Common Sense.
Cheffy!!, langley park says...
7:46pm Mon 26 Jan 09
PettyComplainer wrote:Exactly, Croft has been one of the most strict tracks i've been too, if not the strictest, always saying if your pipes too loud you not getting on track.....
My mate had to go change his exhaust because Croft scrutineers said it was too loud. This is the only time he EVER had to change it in years of racing. Sorry, I was typing a bit loud then..!
The judge must have been asked to leave the track with his exhaust being too loud.....
as for you 'Simple' your user name say's it all!!!
either that or the Watsons or Wilsons are your relations.....
John race fan, dalton says...
7:56pm Mon 26 Jan 09
Derwent, Derwent says...
8:13pm Mon 26 Jan 09
The family should just forget about it and actually move on physically and mentally. Had Jimmy Wislon still been part of the family I doubt if the action would have ever started.
alfaromeo1, northallerton says...
8:19pm Mon 26 Jan 09
possibly taken the nazi's to court!!
this areodrome had noise long before these people were born.
apart from motor sport there are many non noise activates which are carried out at croft to the benefit of many young and old alike.
THE WORLD AND THE COURTS HAVE ALL GONE MAD.
sensible, durham says...
8:22pm Mon 26 Jan 09
mid life crisis, Bury says...
9:38pm Mon 26 Jan 09
Four years ago I took up motor sport and have competed at the excellent Croft circuit on a number of occasions. As a family we normally make a weekend of it, even though I only compete for one day.
We stay at the very welcoming Clow Beck House, use the local pubs, restaurants and visit the near by attractions.
Croft motor racing circuit has given us all some great weekends away. Sometimes expensive and frustrating due to the strict noise regulations which were always strictly policed.
I do hope that this needless action will not result in the decline of the local business as it has in the Lake District, and force our family to look elsewhere for are weekend escapes.
Andy Dunnet, Edinburgh says...
10:29pm Mon 26 Jan 09
The sad thing is that a spiteful vindictive woman with an axe to grind due to a marriage breakup has been allowed to do so much damage.
Croft is a great circuit and very responsible when it comes to noise issues. I would imagine that it's future is now in doubt as these extra days are what helps pay the wages.
How selfish to live next to a racetrack and take the money from a spouse then destroy peoples future when the marriage breaks up.
Mrs Wilson you are everything that is wrong with this country nowadays.. Pure greed.
Mach 1, Birtley says...
11:18pm Mon 26 Jan 09
A lot of the nasty remarks and threats are just some peoples way of trying to get over their frustration at something that they cannot fight. When it comes to motorsport, or hobbies regarding a lot of forms of motorised transport, it always seems that there is a unfair approach to deciding outcomes, and sometimes, no matter what you do to try to put a point over it will inevitably fall upon deaf ears.
I understand that everyone should have a semblance of peace in their home, but you have to remember that their is only a handfull of tracks in the country, one realistically in the North, whilst there are millions of homes that you can move to if you don't like your residence.
I doubt an appeal will change anything though
JoanneB1973, Preston, Lancashire says...
12:10am Tue 27 Jan 09
cupid stunt, crook says...
8:23am Tue 27 Jan 09
tamaz, Airdrie says...
8:29am Tue 27 Jan 09
69lou96, darlington says...
10:32am Tue 27 Jan 09
fredrobson, stockton on tees says...
10:35am Tue 27 Jan 09
madisonmotorsport, Ashford says...
10:53am Tue 27 Jan 09
chris.burns@npat.co.uk, Bishop auckland/crook says...
11:25am Tue 27 Jan 09
what a great way to get your droping value in you house back sue some one!!! i bet if they had sale details drawn up they would say "Iseal views of the adjancent race track, and if you want a cash injection sue them for noise oh and by the way the nuresery next door can be noisey at times might be worth having a go at them!!
paris1, darlington says...
12:14pm Tue 27 Jan 09
Vem, Darlington says...
12:26pm Tue 27 Jan 09
paris1 wrote:Did you buy your house when you knew the circuit was there?
SOME PEOPLE HAVE SAID THEY WOULD LIKE TO LIVE NEAR THE CIRCUIT. MY HOUSE HAS BEEN ON THE MARKET FOR 4 YEARS & CANT SELL IT BECAUSE OF THE CIRCUIT. . .SO WHY DONT YOU BUY IT!
Did you buy it for a reduced price because of the circuit?
If you have truly lost money because of the circuit and are having to drop the value of your home then I don't see why the circuit couldn't make up the difference. The new owners wouldn't have the same luxury as they would have bought the house for a reduced price anyway. The circuit would soon make their way through all the properties in the immediate area and there shouldn't be any problem from then on.
I suspect though that you bought your house when the circuit was there however, and that you payed under market value because of the circuit in the first place - I could be wrong though.
Vem, Darlington says...
1:17pm Tue 27 Jan 09
I've been to BTCC and the British Superbikes a few times and as I recall, the noise is minimal. It's not until you get up on to the banking that surrounds the Dalton-on-Tees side that the noise gets louder. I think that banking almost acts like a shield and blocks a lot of the noise out.
69lou96, darlington says...
2:48pm Tue 27 Jan 09
y everyone whos trying to sell just now is in the same boat!
John race fan, dalton says...
3:39pm Tue 27 Jan 09
Andy Dunnet, Edinburgh says...
4:38pm Tue 27 Jan 09
I really hope the family are proud of what they have done.
I hope they don't use a petrol mower to cut their grass as the noise will be too much for them.
Cheffy!!, langley park says...
8:22pm Tue 27 Jan 09
John,
As i said earlier Croft has one of the most strictest and quietest track days Noise Level: 100db strictly enforced.
Compared to
Brands Hatch - Noise Level 105db Evening 102db Grand Prix 101db
Cadwell Park - Noise Level 105db
Donnington Park - Noise Level 105db Evening/Wkend 98db
Oulton Park - Noise Level 105db strictly enforced
Snetterton - Noise Level: 105db
so i say well done to Croft!!! i really hope they take this matter further and hopefuly see commonsense prevail(although if were talking European Courts then we have no chance of commonsense what with straight cucumber laws e.t.c) )
Cheffy!!, langley park says...
8:28pm Tue 27 Jan 09
No Limits -
"Most Croft trackdays are restricted to 100db. Static and rolling tests are carried out rigorously by the circuit staff throughout the day. If your bike is tested above the noise limit you will not be able to ride".
John race fan, dalton says...
8:42pm Tue 27 Jan 09
the logical view, says...
9:06pm Tue 27 Jan 09
the simple wrote:It's a shame that the case didn't appear to consider its true impact. How many times have our young people been advised not to use the roads as a racetrack, and to keep it for trackdays? And yet a company is punished for successfully attracting large nos. of people doing exactly that.
If all these people want this event to happen why don't they offer to buy the house from these people. How many hotels and pubs are used by people attending these events?
Will the complainers carry on doing so if street racing becomes more accessible than trackdays? I know what my money's on.
And to the poster - I'd be pleased to make an offer if the owner suggested a sensible figure. Not that this is liable to happen...
yella, lincoln says...
9:52pm Tue 27 Jan 09
How can the voice of 3 out way the popularity of thousands, What a joke.
I presume once they have gained there cash they will move away from the circuit anyway.
Dave Ladders, London says...
9:37am Wed 28 Jan 09
The biggest problem are these judges who live in different world to the rest of us. Half of them live in a bubble and haven't a clue what living in the real world is like. Any normal person would throw them out of court as soon as they heard the circumstances.
I grew up living within earshot of Mallory Park and it was one of those noises you grew up with and didn't give a second thought. The last place I lived at had a train track at the bottom of the garden. Could you imagine the response I'd get if I tried to sue BR for the noise! Why is this any different!
I think there should be a run organised to show what the general public think of these people, and sit outside these idiots house every Sunday for a month, and rev our engines.
Marktrack, Luton says...
11:28am Wed 28 Jan 09
analytical, Darlington says...
5:09pm Wed 28 Jan 09
raybould00, Dalton-on-Tees says...
5:39pm Thu 29 Jan 09
I have lived near the circuit since 1987. The circuit was basically closed from 1981 and only re-opend in 1993 under much wrangling, not to say it cost locals thousands of pounds trying to get reasonable use and control of how the circuit was to operate.
I speak for myself and I do not want the circuit to close, the events are not the main problem as the noise is intermittent, it is the track days, testing and open days which occur during the week and weekends where the noise is constant for hours, with the only break around lunchtime, the events are only a small part of the problem with the operation of the circuit such as traffic control and parking.
The tracks day raised my greatest concern. The would be boy racers do not leave the racing on the circuit they take it on the road to and from the circuit, so much for track events getting the boy racers off the road, from my experience it only fed their desire to race along west lane, doing wheelies and handbrake turns into and out of the circuit entrance, just check out the tyre marks if you don’t believe.
Also 100db is between a road drill & Jet engine, just to put it in prospective. How would you like that noise in your back garden?
Plus most who go to the circuit camp out and bring there own carry out. Pity I do not have land otherwise I could open it up for camping.
raybould00, Dalton-on-Tees says...
8:27pm Thu 29 Jan 09
Marktrack, Luton says...
12:47pm Fri 30 Jan 09
As for your remark if Croft had worked with people to get some level of control, that just goes to show how dangerous a little information is! Croft is by far one of the best behaved and most co operative circuits in the whole country where noise is concerned.
sam919, dundee says...
12:58am Sat 31 Jan 09
What happens if they move, does it all go back to normal?
chris allanson, aldbrough says...
12:48am Thu 5 Feb 09
we build all sorts of road and racing cars i also have a moto cross practice track on our farm where we rent the facility to members of the public to use their bikes on
do you realise that the ROAD going noise limit for a car when tested at the ministry is 101 db at three quarters throttle
we build cars and take them for SVA testing on a regular basis so i know this is the accepted limit
if croft are testing to 100 db then the cars are quieter than a normal road car should be
we have a single protester who lives 1 mile away from our moto cross track
she complains to the council on a regular basis
they have tried to verify her complaints by monitering the noise levels coming from our track but cant because the onluy time she is affected is when the wind blows from the north directly towards her
the predominant wingd direction is from the south west and there is no way at all the bikes can be heard when its in that direction
she was asked to keep a diary of each day she heard the bikes and record the wind direction,religously every day according to her diary she could hear them she could even hear them in her house with the windows closed ??!!
because the council have to disclose evidence to me so i can comment i was able to prove that we were not open on days when she could hear us
i got the wind speed and direction records from the local gas plant weather station which are taken every 5 mins 24 hours a day and could prove she was also lying about wind direction
we opened after a 3 year planning application battle
she thought we had not had it granted and only started complaining after we had been open 6 months she realised when the wind was in the north for the first time and she asked a neighbour who is a mate of mine what the noise was
when she found out her first comment was "i will soon put a stop to that"
its an absolute nightmare as ive sunk £50000 of my own cash into the track and for the sake of one woman it could all be thrown away
i do however think that if the cars/bikes were made quieter by putting better silencers on them it would knock their argument a hell of a lot
i have to stop lads on our track from time to time and we try to quieten their bikes
it leads to friction between me as the owner of the site and the customer who wants to use it
they think you are having a go at them but in actual fact you are trying to keep everybody happy which is well nigh impossible
getting back to croft
i would like to know what long term noise tests were done on the affected premises
i presume that there was a noise difference between what is background noise and when the tracks being used
did the judge make any recommendations as to how much noise was acceptable
can croft build higher noise bunds up in the line of sight of the properties
noise bunds are very effective if built in the right place
its a shame for everyone at croft as i do like going there myself the people are friendly and its a cracking circuit
lastly ive always found our noise officials here very approachable when she astarted complaining about us i went along the lines of trying to mitigate as much noise as possible , we built higher bunds than the original plans required and have closed volountarily at 4 pm each day when i could go till 6 pm
i presume that croft are still ok with planning and they still have planning permission
if thats the case then they should be able to work something out by redicing the noise emitted from each vehicle
if the go down to 97 db it is evvectively half the noise at 100 db
noise measuring is a queer thing its calculated so that every 3 db is actually a doubling of the noise
i hope they sort it
chris
Your sayYour North-East
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loan_star, Darlington says...
12:33pm Mon 26 Jan 09