Noise from Motocross and other Off-Road Motorcycle Activity

This is an activity which nearly always gives rise to complaints. There are currently two main Legal Controls which regulate this activity;

A. Planning Law – For many areas of land (i.e. not a site of special scientific interest) the use of a site for less than 14 days per year is permitted as Permitted Development Rights for the purposes of racing and/or practicing for these events. Any exceedance of this 14 day allowance would therefore require planning permission.

B. Noise Nuisance Law – Section 80 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 gives the Local authority the power to serve an Abatement Notice which may prohibit, or restrict the occurrence or recurrence on an owner, occupier or person responsible for causing a statutory noise nuisance, for example from noisy motor cycling events. Similarly Section 82 of the Act allows any individual to take their own private action. It is important to note that any restrictions made under noise nuisance legislation can be stricter that the 14 days allowed under Planning Law.

Worcestershire currently has a number of established sites, each subject to different levels of regulation dependant on local circumstances. Some sites that have been established for a long time may be permitted a higher level of use than newer sites. The Service occasionally receives either requests from operators wishing to start up a new site, or complaints in respect of new sites. Any prospective operator is therefore highly advised to contact WRS Enquiries enquiries@worcsregservices.gov.uk You can use the same email to report the noise.