Noise assessment for moto cross circuit

During a recent Health and Environmental Services Committee meeting, Ballymoney councillors heard that the study ‘indicates that the noise level generated by the moto-cross circuit exceeds the background noise by between 16.7db - 24.5db.

The report explained: ‘On 19th November 2007, at a meeting of Ballymoney Borough Council, planning application ref D/2005/0305/F proposing a change of use of the above agricultural land to moto cross circuit was refused on the basis of unacceptable use in greenbelt.

‘In August 2008 an Article 38 notice was served under the above Order to require the abatement of the use of the land as a moto cross circuit and to prohibit the recurrence of a noise nuisance.

‘A planning appeal was heard on 23rd February on site and the decision by the commissioner was that the appeal be dismissed. The commissioner states in her report: “The submitted noise impact assessment report indicates that the noise level generated by the moto-cross circuit exceeds the background noise by between 16.7db – 24.5db …………… Noise generation exceeding 10+db above background noise is recognised as being the level when complaints are likely. It is evident from the nature of third party objections that noise disturbance is experienced and from over a wide area with one objector living 1km from the site.”’