Local MP Urges Council to Heed Residents’ Concerns about Priory Park Application

Mr Pincher writing his opposition to the go kart application

Christopher Pincher MP has raised his “clear concerns” about an application made to North Warwickshire Borough Council to extend the karting track at Priory Park because of concerns about its future use and the impact this may have on residents in Acorn Ridge.

The noise from the karting track, which sits just over the border in Warwickshire, has historically been a significant nuisance for residents and increasing the capacity of the track will further exacerbate this problem.

A number of Tamworth constituents have also raised concerns about the size of the sound barriers that have been installed, which are not the 5m tall barriers described in the applicant’s submission (they are materially lower) and make little impact on the levels of noise.

Mr Pincher said, “I have raised my objections about this site before and have done so again. I have written to North Warwickshire in the clearest terms.

“I am concerned that given the location of the Chiltern loop and the roads off it, which is in Tamworth and known as Acorn Ridge, residents are not being given sufficient say about decisions that may be taken by North Warwickshire but which have a direct and negative impact on them. They may not live in North Warwickshire but my constituents are directly affected by decisions made by councillors that they do not elect over the border.

“As well as objecting to North Warwickshire Borough Council, I have also written to Planning Minister, Brandon Lewis MP, to clarify what support can be given to Tamworth Borough Council to represent residents in planning matters which are not within its jurisdiction, but which directly affect its own council tax payers.”

Stonydelph Conservative Cllr Stephen Doyle, who went along the North Warwickshire Planning Committee meeting on Monday night to speak up for local residents, said, “I believe NWBC Planning Committee must listen to local residents in Acorn Ridge who are concerned about the impact this application will have. It is not right to make any decision without making sure their lives are not unfairly affected. I will keep up the pressure on their behalf.”