Controversial Kegworth motocross park rejected amid safety and noise fears

A major motocross park planned for Kegworth has been rejected amid a number of concerns. Agents had claimed the development would “make a massive difference” to young people’s lives, but some councillors feared an accident would happen in the area.

The plan, submitted by Gary Taylor of MX Goat Ltd, would have seen vacant agricultural land at Molehill Farm, next to the Kegworth Bypass, transformed into a motocross training park. The site, which is within touching distance of the East Midlands Airport, the Segro Logistics Park and the Donington Park race circuit, sparked major fears over noise for nearby Kegworth residents, but access and safety was the main worry for many.

Highways officials at Leicestershire County Council had even called for the plan to be rejected amid safety fears – a move many on North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC) said was a “rare” intervention at its meeting this week. Highways teams had claimed access off the busy A6 Kegworth Bypass to the park would “intensify” traffic and “lead to dangers” for those turning in and out of the motocross park.

NWLDC’s Coun Dave Everitt, who backed the principle of the plan, feared the worst if the park was greenlit. He said: “I think it’s an absolutely great thing they want to do, anything that gets youngsters and young people doing something worthwhile. But all in all once someone starts talking on the impacts on access, it overrides everything in my mind. Should we have an incident following us having passed that and having been warned there could be problems, we have our conscience to live with.”

Mr Taylor’s plan would have seen two tracks built on Molehill Farm, alongside a number of “earth-made jumps” to help train budding motocross stars. The site would have been open outside peak hours to mitigate traffic fears, while it would also have operated at weekends and even Bank Holidays. Agents believed it would benefit many.

They said: “The sport of motocross is well behind in the UK compared to the rest of Europe and this is down to the lack of training facilities. Unregulated motorbike riding in the countryside has a bad reputation, but the controlled environment of this facility is a completely different proposition.

“Some of the people who would use this facility train in the motocross sport and currently have to travel far and wide to access limited facilities. The academy would make a massive difference to their lives, providing them with a Midlands based facility like no other in the UK.”

Kegworth motocross plan East Midlands Airport M1 Donington Park Kegworth

However, with up to 45 bikes on site at any one time, noise concerns were also raised by many. Coun Ray Morris, who believed access to the site was safe, feared for residents wanting peace in the area.

He said: “It’s a rather noisy sport unfortunately. The noise coming from some activity like this is sort of like a swarm of angry bees going around and it can drone on for quite a bit. I’m concerned the background noise will be quite significant and will affect the amenity of [nearby] residents.”

Coun Carole Sewell believed existing noise from Segro and East Midlands Airport should not be added to, especially outside of the week. She said: “To disturb [residents] weekends and bank holidays with something like this is a step too far.”

Amid all the concerns, NWLDC’s planning committee voted overwhelmingly to reject the scheme, by 10 votes to zero. One councillor, Coun Michael Wyatt, abstained from the vote.