Croft loses noise appeal

Added on Tuesday, January 27th, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor | 4 Comments

The future of Croft circuit is under threat.

It must be made absolutely clear that my clients have tried their best to resolve the continuing noise problems at the circuit without going to court and have, at no time, ever sought to close the circuit down.

The owners of Croft circuit have lost their appeal against a family who claimed that their lives have been blighted by excess noise from the track.

The North Yorkshire circuit, which is a regular stopping point for the British Superbike Championship, have been ordered to pay a local family almost £150,000 in damages and restrict the holding of “noisy activities” to just 40 days per year.

Derek and Julia Watson and their daughter, Jill Wilson, who all live within about 300 metres of the circuit, in the village of Dalton-on-Tees, say that their quality of life and the value of their properties have for years been gravely affected by the “loud, intrusive and repetitive noise”.

At the High Court, judge Mr Justice Simon ruled that all three had been victims of “noise nuisance” and ordered Croft Promo-Sport Ltd to pay Mr and Mrs Watson £109,600 damages, and Mrs Wilson £40,000.

One of the claimants, Jill Wilson, is the ex-wife of Jimmy Wilson-Petch; a former head of the circuit who transformed the venue from a rally cross track to attract events such as BSB and British Touring Cars, generating some £3m annually for the local economy.

Croft, like all racing circuits in the UK, has to abide by strict regulations on noise and the number of events that is may host, although these restrictions are relaxed in part for events such as practice events and track day experiences.

Croft Promo-Sport Ltd now faces the prospect of action from other local residents in addition to a massive legal bill, believed to be in the region of £700,000. The ruling also opens up the possibility of action being taken against other circuits within the UK.

The circuit was refused permission to lodge a further appeal with the House of Lords although Croft Promosport Ltd is said to exploring the options available.

In a statement, the company said: “Croft Promosport Ltd is extremely disappointed with the Court of Appeal’s decision today in relation to the recent High Court Judgment, which has serious implications for the circuit and the motor racing industry generally.

“We are reviewing the position carefully and would not wish to make any further comment at this stage.”

Speaking on behalf of the claimant, solicitor Paul Sookes said: “It must be made absolutely clear that my clients have tried their best to resolve the continuing noise problems at the circuit without going to court and have, at no time, ever sought to close the circuit down.

“Under the terms of the order, the major public events that may attract business to the locality can continue and the circuit is allowed up to 40 very noisy days per year.

“However, the circuit does not have carte blanche to carry on noisy activities at any time it chooses; that is unreasonable and is not the way a good neighbour carries on.”

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4 Comments

Mac

January 31st, 2009

why dont she move and sell up, then,..to someone who likes motorsports,
i could listen to that noise all-day every day, poor bloke,…ya’ have my support,

Jordan

February 11th, 2009

I think she should as well. If she didnt like the idea why did she move there in the 1st place. Its a shame as all forms of motorsport in this country on and off road are all getting ruined due to “noise polution”

Andrew

March 10th, 2009

It’s a total disgrace that this can happen to motor sport, if it were any other sport, there would be outrage and this never would have happened. I can’t imagine them, limiting games at Wembley just because of a couple of idiotic local residents. If bikers can’t race on tracks, they will race on roads, more track accidents, more NHS bills, more deaths… lets not forget if its worked at Croft, there must be thousands of local track residents writing their complaints letters now, to get compensation and shut their local track, bye bye Donnington, Thruxton, Silverstone, Brands…. And why stop at race tracks, everything that makes noise should be shut. Bye bye airports, stadiums, train stations etc…. World gone MAD!!!!!

Gary

May 8th, 2009

Absolutly unbelievable that any court in the country would side with a family of money grabbers who will no doubt take the payout laughing all the way to the Estate agents. Croft and all other tracks in the country provides much needed family entertainment in the community.
The Watsons should never have moved there in the first place.