Motor sport action sees off threat to 14/28-day planning regulations

Motor sport action sees off threat to 14/28-day planning regulations

Posted: September 16, 2011 12:25 PM

The Motor Sports Association (MSA) is delighted that the UK motor sport community has played a significant role in dissuading government officials from recommending changes to planning regulations that could have caused significant damage to the sport.

In July the Department for Communities and Local Government released an issues paper regarding the way in which change of use (of land) is handled within the planning system. This included a review of the 14/28-day rule (Permitted Development Rights – provision within planning legislation for temporary change of use) under which approximately 60 per cent of MSA motor sport takes place.

The MSA urged the motor sport community to respond to the consultation and ensure that the sport’s voice was heard. Following the consultation, it was confirmed to the Land Access and Recreation Association (LARA) – of which the MSA is a founding member – that officials did not consider that there was any basis for advising ministers to amend the 14/28-day rule in any way that affects motor sport.

MSA Chief Executive Colin Hilton said:
“We try not to mobilise the motor sport community too often, but it is encouraging to see the overwhelming response when there is a matter of significant national importance. It appears that almost half of the responses submitted as part of the consultation were from people involved in motor sport. This is the second time in ten years that we have had to explain to government the importance of this legislation; not just for motor sport, but also for village fetes, carnivals and other community activities.”

MSA issues second call to action over threat to land use by UK motor sport events

Posted: August 15, 2011 7:56 PM

The Motor Sports Association (MSA) is urging the motor sport community to respond to a second government consultation that also has the potential to threaten the future of the sport in the UK.

The Department for Communities and Local Government has released an issues paper regarding the way in which change of use (of land) is handled within the planning system. This includes a review of the 14/28-day rule (Permitted Development Rights – provision within planning legislation for temporary change of use) under which approximately 60 per cent of MSA motor sport takes place.

MSA Chief Executive Colin Hilton said:
“It is disappointing that a government department has queried the 14/28-day rule so soon after the major consultation that took place in 2002, particularly as there is little evidence to suggest that motor sport and its place within communities has changed. Although this is a speculative paper, if the rules are changed it could have a devastating impact on the sport, so it is essential that motor sport makes its voice heard at this stage.”

The issues paper can be accessed via the following link:

www.msauk.org/uploadedfiles/changeofuse.pdf

UK Government launches consultation into 'closed road' motor sport

Posted: April 1, 2011 2:44 PM

The Motor Sports Association’s campaign to bring closed road motor sport to mainland Britain received a major boost yesterday. In an announcement that was welcomed by former F1 champions Sir Jackie Stewart and Nigel Mansell OBE, the coalition government confirmed that it would begin a three month public consultation to establish how existing legislation can be amended to allow motor sport to take place on public roads.

The announcement was made during a debate at Westminster Hall, secured by Ben Wallace MP (Wyre and Preston North) and involving Mike Penning, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport. Both Members of Parliament were unanimous in their belief that the MSA’s proposal could significantly boost not just UK motor sport and the related motor sport industry, but also bring benefits, both economic and social, to the communities that wish to host this type of event.

The MSA has been pushing successive governments to empower local authorities with the right to suspend the Road Traffic Act without having to resort to an Act of Parliament. Such an amendment would open up the way for competitive motor sport events such as stage rallies, sprints and hillclimbs to take place on a limited number of British roads, as happens across most of mainland Europe.

Colin Hilton, MSA Chief Executive:
“We are delighted that the government has recognised that a minor change to the Road Traffic Act could have huge benefits, not only for the sport itself, but also for the communities involved and we are grateful to the Under-Secretary of State for Transport for listening to our proposals with such an open mind. As the governing body, we are proud of our excellent track record of safety and risk management, and throughout the consultation process we will be demonstrating that proper safeguards are already in place to ensure that these events would be safely and responsibly staged.”

Three-time F1 world champion, Sir Jackie Stewart said:
“I whole-heartedly support the initiative to introduce the opportunity for motor sport to utilise appropriate public roads for sporting events. The British motor sport industry is one of the UK’s most successful enterprises and we indeed lead the world in this field. There are many other countries that use their roads on a temporary basis for significant sporting events that attract worldwide interest. In many cases it can even progress safety standards on those same roads for the benefit of the general public and all road users.”

Former F1 world champion Nigel Mansell OBE has also given his backing to the proposals:
“This would be a great move forward for the sport in the UK and would bring visitors and pride to parts of the country that wish to stage such events. I am delighted that this government seems to be willing to embrace motor sport which will assist the UK’s world-leading position, and improve the sport’s ability to help provide opportunities and focus for young people.”

In announcing the consultation, Mr Penning said that he wanted to “establish how we can deregulate the matter from central Government bureaucratic control, while ensuring that local communities do not have such things imposed on them. Those involved can perhaps come together in a consortium with the MSA, which will issue the licence for any motor sport activity. We are in a very exciting situation.”