STROUD District Council is investigating whether a motor sport track at New Barn Farm, Cirencester Road, Aston Down has broken planning regulations.

Concerns about the track were raised by residents at a recent Minchinhampton Parish Council meeting, who say the noise will be unbearable.

Speaking to the SNJ after the meeting David Gauci, of Cowcombe Lane, said: "The last thing we want for a Cotswold area of outstanding natural beauty is a motocross track."

"About 18 months ago I heard a motorbike in that field and thought it was closer because of all the noise.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said the track would devalue properties on Cowcombe Lane.

Philip Skill, head of planning at SDC, said: "The law allows land to be used for motor sports without planning permission for a limited number of days each year. But it is needed for physical changes to the land.

"As no permission has been sought and there have been some physical changes, there is a breach of planning control.

"But enforcement action should only be taken when such breaches have genuinely adverse consequences for the area.

"In this case they have little effect because the site is very well hidden. Our view is therefore that enforcement action would be unreasonable.

"This forms the basis of our advice to councillors, who have until Friday, November 28 to ask for the matter to be referred to the next Development Control Committee meeting." The owner of the track did not want to comment.