Dunkeswell plans

[beefy]

Not sure this is in the right place, but here goes...

Has anyone heard about the plans for upgrading Dunkeswell? I saw something about protests on the news last night.

[kipper]

The basis gist of the planning application is that Nigel Mansell having purchased the Dunkeswell Kart Track and wants to build a new medical centre, a cafe, two residential units and workshops for F3/FBMW cars (presumably for his sons).

The main objection to the development is that for an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, too much noise, plus increased traffic will be generated to the detriment of the natural environment.


Also, many locals seem to have decided that this application will lead to motor racing, such as the F3/GTs being held at the venue (and are quoted in a number of newspapers as saying this); which having lived nearby for a number of years, I'd argue is highly unlikely given that the track is only accessible through narrow lanes and that there is only a small amount of space at the venue to accomodate this.

[Rockmunky]

My nan used to live there, irrelevantly. Alot of the locals are older people and so generally, will complain alot about it. Would be nice however for it to be upgraded.

[josvandeperre]

There have been elsewhere stories that its allegedly also something to the with the airfield's owners wanting to bring an old runway back into use but this would be prevented by Mansell's plans - there has been an extensive thread somehwere here already I think from about a month or two ago when the story first broke

[R59]

Ol' Nige is an expert at winning friends and influencing people isn't he....

Nice idea though, but then again, us racers would love to see new circuits everywhere.

There have been a lot of plans in the past that have fallen through, some due to a change of plans by the owners (Lydden - conversion to a state of the art test facility by McLaren), some just died.. (Santa Pod - full circuit)

Rob.

[beefy]

I thought it all sounded a little unlikely. Looks like the news bulletin was being a little sensationalist!

[R59]

What? The news media blowing things out of proportion? Never heard of that before...


Look, over there, it's Lord Lucan....

[beefy]

I thought it all sounded a little far fetched - another case of the media blowing things a little out of proportion perhaps?!?

[Chris Y]

These guys look like they're quite serious about it: http://www.cancelmansell.com/

[R59]

The more you read into it, the more you can see that the locals have a point.
Dunkeswell certainly isn't a suitable venue for Nigel's plans.

I was right in my first post on this subject - his ability to "win friends and influence people" hasn't changed over the years!

I think the CAA's objection/comment should put paid to any development, let alone CPRE, and the locals.

If he wan'ts to do something, he should find somewhere else to do it.

Rob.

[MGDavid]

I guess he's only trying to invest locally - he has a country club Exeter way doesn't he? You'd think they could do with the jobs in the SW but I suppose the NIMBYs are all retired. Now if this was France he'd be welcomed with open arms by the local Mairie.....

[Rushy]

the kart track is very good (the new one) which i think is used for the sprint races. very tight and twisty i dont know what they are complaining about as the airplanes make so much more noise than us rotax boys and the gearbox's

[R59]

The issue is mostly about the plans to run his F-BMW outfit, and a F3 team from the facility, plus corporate events, testing, etc.. which will multiply the heavy (as well as car) traffic through thoroughly unsuitable roads.

There are plenty place that would be more suitable, however, they're not on Nigel's doorstep like Dunkeswell.

Rob.