APRIL 27, 2006

Mansell and planning permission

David Richards is not the only one with planning permission worries at the moment. Down in Devon, Nigel Mansell has been getting in the newspapers with his plans to expand the facilities at the Dunkeswell kart track near Honiton, which Mansell is rumoured to have bought last year. J Design Limited, the agents acting on behalf of Mr Mansell's Woodbury Park Limited, has revealed plans to upgrade of the track to international level, the construction of a shop selling accessories and memorabilia and a clubhouse/restaurant/ bar, workshops and new pits. The intention appears to be turn the place into a base for the racing activities of his two sons and as a corporate karting facility.

Nearly three hundred people have registered their opposition to the proposals after an anonymous leaflet was circulated in the area urging people to object to the application. This argued that the upgrade would make a mess of an area of outstanding natural beauty. A group of local residents has already hired the legal firm Foot Anstey to argue on their behalf, on the grounds of visual intrusion, noise and disturbance, traffic, impact on local business, disturbance of wildlife and impact on human rights. The East Devon District Council has yet to make any recommendations about the planning permission.