THE man behind controversial plans to run moto cross events at Mepal has vowed to appeal this week’s decision to refuse planning permission for the enterprise.

THE man behind controversial plans to run moto cross events at Mepal has announced he will appeal this week’s decision to refuse planning permission for the enterprise.

Andrew Villis says he was “disappointed but not surprised” when Fenland District Council turned down plans for a five year permission to run motocross on the site at Block Fen.

Mepal Parish Council and Chatteris Town Council oppose the plan, and a number of nearby residents wrote letters objecting on noise grounds, despite plans for four metre high bunds to be built on site to reduce the impact of noise from the site.

Mr Villis said: “It is fair to say we will appeal the decision, there is clearly a solution there, if the council are of a mind to accept the noise attenuation proposals.” Applicants Fenland Resource Management Ltd and Hanson Quarry Products Ltd had applied for permission to use around 20 acres at Block Fen Drove in Mepal as a venue to host motorsport events including motocross, along with four portable buildings and the use of land for the siting of recreational motor vehicles..

Mr Villis also said that moto cross events - which can be held 14 days a year without permission - will continue, and there is a championship event due to take place next month.

He said of the council: “Their minds are closed to anything not mainstream. We will take advice about an appeal and will continue operating, pending that appeal.”

Neighbours of the site had called noise levels from the site “unacceptable.” and one objector has asked for a stop notice to be served. The planning application was deferred last month by the council, for a noise report to be studied.

A neighbour pleaded with the authority: “Please will you and your enforcement officers do everything you can to ensure that it ceases as soon as possible? Over the last three years the motor sports at Block Fen have been a living nightmare for us and our family.”

Fenland council turned down the latest application because the applicant had failed to submit a satisfactory noise/acoustic report; no information had been given to show that the operation would not affect adjoining residential properties; the applicants had failed to supply the necessary ecological information; and the application had failed to submit satisfactory proposals for the restoration of the site; and the building of the proposed bunds might prejudice the restoration of the site.