A BID to almost double the number of annual race days at Bishopscourt Race Circuit looks set to fail.
The owners of the race circuit want to raise the number of days in which cars, motorcycles and go-karts can race from 16 to 30 but the Planning Service is recommending the proposal be refused.
Seventy six letters of objection were received by planners from concerned local residents highlighting the noise and the traffic disruption caused by race day events at the rural circuit.
The planners recommendation will go before Monday night’s meeting of Down Council. Councillors have no power to change the decision but could ask for it to be reconsidered.
The reasons given for the refusal of planning permission were the increased level of noise nuisance and disturbance to neighbouring properties and the unacceptable level of disturbance to people living nearby.
The owner of the race circuit, Jim O’Brien, said so much money has been spent on Bishopscourt an increase in racing is needed to justify the investment. However, he admitted the plans have hit a brick wall.
“At the minute we are only allowed 16 days a year,” he said. “We were planning to increase the days in stages, maybe four more days this year and four more the next year but we have hit this brick wall.”
Mr. O’Brien said considerable work has been carried out at the circuit in a bid to cut down on noise, including the creation of raised banks at various parts of the sprawling complex.
“There are complaints, but a whole lot of people are happy with what we do,” continued Mr. O’Brien.
“We have spent too much money at the track not to keep going, we can’t walk away from it now. “We will certainly be keeping it going and continuing with the planning application,” he said.
The Recorder contacted a number of local objectors but no-one was prepared to comment before the Down Council meeting next week.