Allenwood Businessman Says He Will Try To Keep His Motocross Racetrack Despite Having Planning Rejected Twice

Monday, 9 September 2024 12:42

By Hannah Kelly

Barry Travers' nine-hectare scrambler site was denied planning in 2020

Allenwood businessman Barry Travers says he will fight to keep his motocross racetrack despite building it without permission, and having it rejected by planners twice, according to the Irish Independent.

Residents with homes near the unauthorised development say they want it gone for good, and that they have had to put up with disturbances from the project for over four years.

Mr Travers' nine-hectare scrambler track was denied planning in 2020, as planners ruled it would create too much traffic, noise and dust and could jeopardise a local stream and curlew habitat.

Mr Travers then made a second application, including analysis from planning and ecology experts disputing the grounds for refusal.

However, planners denied that application last month, restating most of their original concerns.

They also said there would be a loss of biodiversity, which Mr Travers refutes, saying he had improved the site for wildlife by planting trees and allowing the formation of ponds where earth was dug out for mounds.

Mr Travers expressed his disappointment at this decision, and said he was out of pocket by at least €80,000.

Kildare County Council has yet to issue any directions regarding the site.

Despite the halt of developments of ramps, jumps, hills and chicanes, there are reports of continued activities at the track.

Mr Travers has acknowledged personal use of the track for practice, but denies continuing to develop the facility.

Previously, he had argued that there was a need for his facility, as people were using illegal tracks around Kildare, and he was trying to provide a proper run facility.

Local Fine Gael Councillor Brendan Wyse, who objected the project, said: "I don’t have a problem with the idea but this is not the right place for it. And just because he has gone so far in building it now doesn’t make it the right place."

Kildare County Council said it could not comment on the case "as there is an open Unauthorised Development file in relation to this application".

More from Local News

Call For Sanitary Bins In Men’s Toilets To Support Prostate Cancer Survivors

Audio

Each year, around 4000 men in Ireland are diagnosed with the disease, with research from PHS and the Irish Cancer Society finding more than half of men with incontinence feel anxious because of poor toilet facilities.
Own-Brand Foods Often Produced By Same Factories As Big Labels, Says Money Doctor John Lowe

Choosing own-brand products can also save money, with Lowe noting that many supermarket labels are produced by the same manufacturers as well-known brands.
Kfm Strengthens Position As Kildare’s Most Listened-To Station, According To Latest Ipsos/MRBI Report

Kfm CEO Clem Ryan said: “This latest research is a major reflection of the power of local radio, which showcases local issues , and where advertisers reach their target customers in real time."
Quarter Of Uisce Éireann Staff Earned Over €100k Last Year

Audio

Officials from Uisce Eireann are appearing before the Public Accounts Committee, outlining the company’s financial statements for 2024.
Meath Bird Flu Case Prompts Warning, But Chicken And Turkey Safe To Eat, Says Agriculture Minister

Audio

After confirmed cases in Carlow and Cork, the Department of Agriculture is imposing a mandatory order for all poultry and captive birds to be kept indoors from next Monday.
One-Month Road Closure In Catherinestown To Start Next Week To Facilitate Maynooth Pipeline Works

The road will shut from the junction with the L5050 at Catherinstown to the L1015 at Kellystown from November 10th to December 6th.
Commuter Chaos On M7/N7 Renews Calls For Standby Emergency Response Team During Morning Gridlock

Minister for Public Expenditure and Infrastructure Jack Chambers said he would ask Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and the Minister Of Transport to better resource the response to certain incidents.
Thousands Of Workers Could Get Tax Back In Time For Christmas, Says Financial Advisor

People can also claim on GP visits, prescriptions and rent - along with flat rate expenses for certain professions.