Castle Combe attacked by local council
F3 and GT meetings are threatened
Popular track day circuit Castle Combe has had a noise nuisance order served on it by the local council which threatens the GT and F3 events held there. The directors of the venue consider this unfair -- quite naturally -- and are appealing against it.
They are however hoping to influence the council to withdraw the order rather than to go through formal processes, which will cost money that could be better spent elsewhere. The circuit directors said that they have reduced the noise that GT and F3 cars are allowed to generate, down by 4dB; a reduction of 3dB halves the sound volume, so 4dB is a significant reduction.
While the order covers all race days, the principal clause will prevent the circuit running the British Formula 3 and GT Championships after 2005. As the directors point out, during four successful years these two races have:
- Run on average for 5 hours 22 minutes per year, just 4.36per cent of the total racing time
- Attracted almost 100,000 visitors
- Generated approximately £10m into the North Wiltshire economy (using the council’s own calculations)
- Provided Wiltshire with a world class sporting event
The directors argue that:
- The circuit has existed since 1950 and has run racing continuously through that time. It is well known and well sign-posted. Anyone moving into the area since 1950, would have been aware of its existence
- It has the lowest usage of any circuit in the UK currently attracting national racing classes
- Long term effects of losing these races could force the circuit to look for other revenue streams and to restrict its support for some loss-making and charitable events
- They have demonstrated to the council that, with careful noise controls and an undertaking to work with the organisers of these championships to investigate further noise reductions, they can work in harmony with most local environment and residents
The circuit's directors are asking interested people to write to the councillors urging councillors to vote to instruct their officers to withdraw the notice, and have published their contact details.
It looks even better if you both object to the order and live in the area...
I am a regular visitor to Castle Combe for trackdays and racedays and I haven't missed its F3/GT meeting in years.
Frerkring Council! How can they possibly object to a bit of noise one or two weekends in the year that's over by 6:00pm, doesn't start until after 9:00am - and is a TRADITION going back FIFTY YEARS!
I am incensed!
If anyone from Castle Combe is reading - could you let me know who the most effective individual to write to is? I presume the Council Leader?
miniman said:
This is a typical NIMBY bullshit attitude. The track has been there for years so if you don't want to live near a race track, don't frikkin move there!
Damn straight!
But who does one write to stating that it is because of Castle Combe race track that I visit the area, stay in hotels, eat in restaurants, drink in pubs, take the wife shopping in the cutsie-north-Wilts villages...
And this must be true of a HUGE number of race and track enthusiasts...
Plotloss said:
The ban on hunting was the thin end of the wedge.
I absolutely guarantee you now that there will be a plague of this small mindedness that envelopes this once great nation.
I'm afraid so. Well I objected to the hunting ban.
But this? This has riled me beyond that. These NIMBYs are now not just attacking people I sympathise with. But ME directly. My quality of life.
If I can support Castle Combe in any way I WILL!
Gassing Station | General Gassing [Archive] | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff