Support TonyMoto's planning application
By TMX Archives on 19th May 09
UP until April 1 the awesome TonyMoto motocross track, just outside Winchester, has been open for five-years under a temporary planning permission.
Over those five-years the facilities and circuits have been improved and expanded to provide what some would argue is the foremost track in the county.
In March of this year, following extensive consultations with local residents and the Local Planning Authority, a planning application was lodged to permanently increase the track's availability for practice and also to turn the ‘B' track into a dedicated circuit for junior riders and novices, meaning a greater number of safer sessions for all.
It is also hoped that other corporate activities will also be expanded and enhanced if the application is successful.
The planning application is due to be determined by June 25 and until then the facility will not be available for practice or races. Many individuals and clubs are mourning the loss of the facility even for this short period.
For those of you that have ridden at the venue or those that would like the opportunity to do so in the future, here's you chance to help. Cut and paste this into an e-mail and send to nmackintosh@winchester.gov.uk and please feel free to customise the letter and add any personal thoughts.
Here's an example letter below:
Tonymoto Planning Application - Reasons for Support
Case no: 09/00591/FUL
Proposal: Change of use from Agricultural to motocross after a temporary permission.
Location: Tonymoto Down Farm Gown Farm Lane Headbourne Worthy Hampshire
Reasons for Support:
• Creation of more employment than agricultural
Employees of Three Maids Motorsport
Local traders and suppliers – i.e. garages, local shops
Wider trading activities – Motocross shops
Future employees of new activities
Organisers of professional training schools
• Excellent Facility
Arguably the best facility in the South of England
Professionally organised and managed
Safely run – Traffic light marshal system, medics, adults and children separated
Only practice or race facility within Winchester City Council
Not only used by amateurs but also by professionals and international teams
Wide range of tracks to suit all ages and abilities
• Plays a part in the wider community – Community Projects
• Government planning policy is to promote leisure and recreational facilities and these policies should be followed.
• Whilst participants of the sport appreciate that it does generate considerable noise, the noise does not constitute a statutory nuisance under government guidelines and has recently been monitored by Winchester Environmental Health Department and found to be operated acceptably.
• Having operated successfully for 5 years there are no grounds to refuse planning consent.
Full details of the planning application can be found on the planning portal of Winchester City Council under planning application number: 09/0059/FUL and letters of support can also be made there!
If you have any suggestions or queries or need any advice for motocross facilities please contact: Greg Cezair, Motocross Consultancy Services, by e-mail at gregcezair@live.com or by telephone on 07801-474086.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Originally posted on mxtrax, please read and show your support people, it really is needed..
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Right people, this is our chance to stand up and support the sport we all love...
We all know about Tonymoto's situation, and we're all unhappy about it, but we now have an opportunity to put our support across in writing, whether it be via e-mail and/or written letter. The greater the support, the greater the chance we have of getting one of the best practice/race facilities in the country re-opened, and believe me when I say this is going to have a massive affect on the outcome..
The support shouldn't just be from those who use Tonymoto either; if you visit and post on this forum then you're a motocross fan, and you should be dismayed at the thought of yet another facility potentially being shut down. Get your family, your friends, and everyone else you know to write in with their support. If we can make a difference, it will set a president for campaigns in the future, and could help save more of our beloved practice tracks nation wide.
The local residents have rallied together in attempt to shut Tonymoto down, they have their reasons and we have to respect that, but like it or not, they've got strength in numbers. We all know motocross is a relatively small sport, but if every single member of this forum sent through their messages of support, we'd outgun the locals by a massive margin. I've read countless posts on here from people ranting about tracks being closed down, and people having no where to ride; this affects everyone, whether you're a factory rider or just in it for a bit of fun, if we don't fight, we all lose out.
Supporting e-mails should be sent to planning@winchester.gov.uk
If you're writing a letter, send it to:
Planning Dept
Winchester City Council
Colebrook Street
Winchester
Hampshire
SO23 9LJ
E-mails/letters must contain the case number ( 09/00591/FUI ), your address, telephone number, and your reasons for supporting Tonymoto.
Please please please DO NOT write anything derogatory towards the residents who are campaigning against Tonymoto, it will do nothing but put across a negative message to the council, who will ultimately have the final say on whether Tony's is to stay closed or re-open.
Be as clinical, constructive, and punctual as you can; this is not a time to be typing/writing in txt. The council need to be reminded of the good that Tonymoto does, for example; keeping the youth off the streets, giving folk a legal and safe environment to ride in, working with the local council to accommodate youth schemes, offering a superb training/coaching facility for pro's and novices alike, providing jobs/income to the local area, etc etc etc. And then there's your own personal feelings; tell them what a great place Tonymoto really is, tell them how much you love the sport, and tell them how much your family loves the sport, it's all relevant.
E-mails/letters have to be in and registered by May 21, so do not waste any time in getting your support over. I will update the thread with any news as and when it's passed my way. If we're successful, we will have the pleasure of riding a freshly revamped Tonymoto, pictures of which will be posted soon..
I can not stress enough how important this is for motocross in this country, nobody has an excuse to not support this cause.
Thank you for reading, and thank you for your support.