Croft under threat!!!!! (merged) and merged again!

[Larry Carter]

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/4 ... se_appeal/

Potentially, the end of British Motorsport as we know it...?

T'was nice while it lasted....

Just hope the 'aggreived parties' as well as these out of touch Judges can sleep easy in their beds safe in the knowledge that their own recreational and leisure pursuits are to continue...

[Al Weyman]

Hope they fall off their ruddy horses during a 'banned' hunt chasing small innocent furry animals around and break their miserable necks.

[Mr.Jingles]

Anyone have a copy of (or knows how to get a copy of) the appeal decision?

[runshaw]

This is ridiculous. Motor sport has been, and always will be, noisy. I still can't get over the fact that British F3 can't visit Castle Combe due to noise restrictions. This Croft case makes me fear for the future.

[JimW]

Originally Posted by Mr.Jingles

Anyone have a copy of (or knows how to get a copy of) the appeal decision?

Go here for the decision if that's what you are after: http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2009/15.html.

Jim

[richrad smith]

As a Marshal, there goes 1 of my away trips if croft closes

[Chris Y]

This is pretty bad. It sets a very dangerous precedent that any further legal action can call on..

And not just for people complaining against Croft, but Castle Combe, Brands, Snetterton, and just about any circuit you can name. It basically opens the door for anyone living within a stone's throw of a circuit to claim compensation.

Speaking of stones... I hope the complainants in this case save some of the money for window breakages when the angry mobs come a-callin'.

[bella]

anyone care to sit outside the residents house and knock on their door and complain and demand compensation when their dog barks, they use their lawnmower or they start their cars...

[johnw]

Originally Posted by Al Weyman

like you remember where you were when Kennedy was assasinated or Elvis died I bet you will remember this one.

Elvis isn't dead, he's behind the fish counter in our local Asda.

[westfieldbend]

Originally Posted by GeoffH

Croft have lost the appeal and an injunction has been granted limiting the circuit to 40 "noisy days" per year.

are track days noisy days?

[GeoffH]

Originally Posted by westfieldbend

are track days noisy days?

Track & testing days were the alleged source of the problem.

The people that brought the action, in spite of previously gaining from the Circuit's activities when an ex family member was circuit manager AND wanting to build a hotel on the site which would obviously have profited from the operation of the track, claimed that they had no problem with weekend racing events but the number of track & test days had "ruined" their quality of life.

[Westysprinter]

I bet they never complained to Hitler during the war when the lancasters took off - Way OTT I know just feeling vey agrieved. Marshaled there since 81.
I will be competing at the last event which will be the Sprint at easter, it will be a shame if my exhaust falls off

[GeoffH]

Originally Posted by Westysprinter

I will be competing at the last event which will be the Sprint at easter, it will be a shame if my exhaust falls off

Last event?...i don't like the sound of that.

[flagwaver]

PRESS AND MEDIA INFORMATION

26th January 2009
For immediate release


CROFT CIRCUIT - OFFICIAL STATEMENT

Croft Promosport Ltd is extremely disappointed with the Court of Appeal's decision today in relation to the recent High Court Judgment, which has serious implications for the circuit and the motor racing industry generally.

We are reviewing the position carefully and would not wish to make any further comment at this stage.

ENDS

From Croft circuit

[strider]

The more complete story is here.

It's exceptionally bad news for:

1. Croft
2. BARC
3. Any other circuits with local residents who might follow suit.
4. Motorsport in this country.

The refusal of the right to appeal to the House of Lords suggests this is the end of the road unless they can pull some legal precedent out of nowhere.

[Mackmot]

There is so much about this that is really grating me.
The woman who won this case used to be married to the guy that actually got Croft back up and running again.
The fact that Croft have not done anything wrong, they were allowed to run the events they have been doing. I'm sure if the local council had restricted them they would have complied fully.
The fact that when you stand on the pit wall you can hear trains from the east coast mainline over a Formula Ford.
The fact that all activities are at a decent time of day, not like the railway or Teesside airport, or RAF Leeming. And its not like they are living in a city putting up with rowdy neighbours or boy racers at ridiculous times.

This whole affair should have been dealt with much more fairly, some kind of referendum should have been held to decide on restrictions for Croft after the local community were consulted. Why on Earth should the greediness of 3 people in one family (who clearly have personal grievences) affect thousands. (The facebook group is already over 10,000)

[Al Weyman]

I am only glad I actually made the trip up there last season (and managed to record it) as it looks like I may not get the opportunity again.

[GeoffH]

Originally Posted by Mackmot

The fact that Croft have not done anything wrong, they were allowed to run the events they have been doing. I'm sure if the local council had restricted them they would have complied fully.

Well that's the point. They were operating under conditions previously imposed upon them and in the original case the Judge awarded damages for the impact on the value of their property, but refused to grant an injunction further restricting activities at the circuit.

The fact that the original ruling has now been overturned, the injunction (40 noisy days) granted and compensation and also costs awarded against Croft leaves the circuit very exposed not only to further costs from this case, but to further claims in the future.

We may well look back on this case in a few years and see where the snowball started to roll...

[westfieldbend]

Originally Posted by GeoffH

Track & testing days were the alleged source of the problem..

Cant track days be run at a lower noise limit (IE road silenced vehicles only) to get around this... Other wise its rather skeptical whether the circuit can survive without the income from track days...

[GeoffH]

Originally Posted by westfieldbend

Cant track days be run at a lower noise limit (IE road silenced vehicles only) to get around this... Other wise its rather skeptical whether the circuit can survive without the income from track days...

I've done a couple of track days at Croft and Spectated / Photographed a couple more. I've seen them pull cars in for checks because they "sound" loud and i've also seen cars excluded for failing the usual static / drive by checks too.

They stick to the rules that were already imposed upon them, i really can't see what more they could do. Then again, this wasn't really about noise.

Even a "road silenced" TVR (or similar) can sound pretty loud when driven as intended.

[MESHGA]

After the news yesterday has the last Rallycross car graced the fantastic northern circuit?
Its a discrace 3 people can do so much harm!!!!
If so whats the future of the events run there?

[Peter Mallett]

What news is that? (From RX/ thread).

[bigted]

The story chris cake is referring to is the Court case Croft lost, regarding a complaint made by 3 local residents regarding the noise made at track days in the week. More can be found on

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/new..._noise_appeal/

[davyboy]

I wonder how much of this was related to bad blood between the operating company and its owner's ex-wife, one of those who lodged the complaint. The legal bills alone will probably spell the end of motorsport there for some time. A very sad day for British motorsport.

[MESHGA]

Bigted .Im Alison . Where did you get that from ?