West Dorset now recommended to approve application
By Laura Williams - Dorset Echo

CHICKERELL town councillors have given their backing to Weymouth speedway. Despite previously refusing to support the application Chickerell Town Council will now recommend that West Dorset District Council approve the application. But assistant town clerk Vanessa Ricketts said the town council would like to see several conditions imposed.
Members at a meeting of the full council heard representations from up to 16 residents before voting to recommend the application for approval. The vote was not unanimous and several members either voted against the motion or abstained. Mrs Ricketts said there were seven conditions which included no practice sessions or air horns and restricting meetings to once a week - to be finished by 10pm. The town council also requests that a full sound survey is carried out and the site continues to be monitored by environmental health officers to prevent noise nuisance or excessive air pollution.

Speedway organiser Brian White applied for planning permission to West Dorset District Council last August but withdrew the application in October to carry out a sound survey. The application has now been resubmitted for consideration at a meeting of the development and control committee of West Dorset District Council next month.

Mrs Ricketts said: "In the new application there was increased sound protection which showed the council that the applicant was trying to address the issue. But the council does not think he has gone far enough." She said councillors wanted to see a further grass bund for noise reduction. She added: "The council wants to see more soundproofing, better control of the noise and better regulation of the meetings. It would like to see these matters properly enforced and adhered to."

The recommendation from Chickerell Town Council will go forward to West Dorset District Council but is not binding. Earlier this week Mr White announced that he would be selling the licence to run speedway at the Wessex Stadium in Radipole Lane, Weymouth. Before any sale is completed full planning permission will need to be agreed by West Dorset District Council. Anyone wishing to comment must do so in writing or by e-mail before January 27.