New battle over kart racing track as ombudsman looks into complaint

A COMPLAINT that a council has failed to enforce a legal agreement aimed at overseeing an outdoor karting business has been lodged with a government watchdog.

- by BRADLEY GERRARD Local Democracy Reporter [e-mail]

Local residents last month succeeded in their bid to prevent Dunkeswell Raceway from being able to operate for more days throughout the year, but the saga looks to rumble on yet.

Nick Chapman, one of the roughly 300 residents who lodged objections to the raceway's planning application to increase the number of race days, has revealed that he has complained to a government watchdog about what he claims is East Devon District Council's lack of enforcement over the karting business.

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) has now accepted Nick's complaint.

In a letter to him, the LGSCO states that it has "assessed whether we can and should investigate your complaint..(and) have decided we should consider it further, and have passed it to our investigation team."

Nick's complaint states the council has "failed to enforce the section 106 pertaining to Dunkeswell Raceway (leisure and championship karting activity), limiting noise and light pollution in an area of outstanding natural beauty."