Belton BMX park plans withdrawn
Controversial plans for a BMX park at Belton were withdrawn from this week's planning meeting amid a raft of fears and objections. Tom Knight, who was born in the village, had applied for the facility at Stepshort but the scheme prompted worries about disturbance and was recommended for refusal by concerned officers.
Controversial plans for a BMX park at Belton were withdrawn from this week's planning meeting amid a raft of fears and objections. Tom Knight, who was born in the village, had applied for the facility at Stepshort but the scheme prompted worries about disturbance and was recommended for refusal by concerned officers.
Members of the development control committee were due to debate the plans on Tuesday.
At the meeting Mr Knight said he understood the concerns and asked for a temporary permission on the same site while he scoured the village for another one. Allowing him some limited activity with dirt jumps at Stepshort would hopefully generate funds to kick off the business elsewhere, he added.
Senior planner Dean Minns said: “It is the type of recreational activity we would like to welcome and there is a place for it, but is this the right place? What will be the additional impact? Stepshort is unmade and lacking a footpath. I would be loathe to allow my children up there without a proper roadway. It is a sensitive area in terms of landscape. Additional usage will also have some impact on the holiday camp. We are right to welcome it but it's a question of funding another location with good access.”
Addressing the committee Mr Knight said: “I have heard all the objections and realise that future plans for a larger development are going to be detrimental. Apart from the concerns the application has also been met with a lot of support because of the lack of facilities. Even those who have objected say it is a good idea.”
Mr Knight went on to offer a compromise solution with a 12 month temporary permission, generating enough revenue to go to work on another site. He added that Belton Parish Council had indicated it might have a better site.
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Committee chairman Charles Reynolds said the committee could only decide the application in front of them and that Mr Knight would have to submit a new bid for temporary permission. Mr Knight opted to withdraw the plans.
