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Mr Paul Thorley Chairman Isle of Man Schoolboy Motocross Club 3 Hill Top View Farmhill Douglas 6th October 2006
0601718
Mrs E J Callow Secretary Planning Committee Planning Section Department of Local Government and the Environment Murray House Mount Havelock Douglas
Dear Mrs Callow
Please find enclosed applications for planning approval to host additional controlled motocross events on the scrub field 3143383 known as Ballagarraghyn located half a mile north of Jurby on the coast side of the A10,
The Isle of Man Schoolboy motocross club hosts motocross events predominately for school children and on event days can accommodate up to 100 competitors, mostly children. We host our '7 round' club championship at the motocross site at Ballagarraghyn. This site has the use established to accommodate 7 motocross events per year. Letter dated 29th November 2005 (Copy enclosed).
The club wishes to be self-sufficient and have the ability to host the Championship and summer series at ballagarraghyn. The summer series is currently held at other venues around the Island. Unfortunately in the past rounds of the summer series have been cancelled due to conditions, usually too dusty, whereas Ballagarraghyn doesn't suffer from this problem. With the security of planning permission to host the full summer event the club intends to improve the on site facilities.
The Island has a wealth of Motocross champions within the current crop of juniors we have the British 85cc small wheel champion, Jaymie McCanney and others such as Alex Rockwell and Callan Cooper are excelling in their classes. Additionally we have the World Enduro Champion David Knight, who no longer a schoolboy still takes part in events on island when his busy schedule allows. All of these benefit and have benefited from Motocross events organised by the Isle of Man Schoolboy club, which has conducted and promoted Motocross events on the Island since 1978, the club also has its own website www.isleofmanmx.com. Additionally it is hoped that by extending the existing use at Ballagarraghyn the inconvenience caused by unlawful use of off road motorbikes will be reduced and if the Club's involvement at the site is more established it will bring a wider element of control and safety back to the sport.
The Schoolboy MCC wishes to be self sufficient and hold all its scheduled events at Ballagarraghyn. This would mean in addition to the 7 event championship it currently hosts it would like to hold its summer series at Ballagarraghyn.
The additional usage the club requires would be to host a 6 round summer series. Rounds 1 & 2 would be held on a Saturday and Sunday in May or June. The following month we would host rounds 3 & 4 and finally finish off with rounds 5 & 6 a month later. The dates vary from
year to year as the motocross committees slot in events taking into account other activities i.e. TT & Grand Prix fortnights.
On Saturdays signing on takes place at 4pm with practice & racing commencing 5pm going on no later than 8.30pm. On Sundays signing on takes place from 9am with practice & racing commencing at 11am going on no later than 3pm.
During this years summer series a total of 85 school children took part in the summer series and we estimate each event would host between 70 and 80 children.
Access to Ballagarraghyn is gained off the A10. On event days sign posts are erected directing competitors and spectators to the site and down a track on the side of field no 214297. This single track although not made of tarmac is strengthened and has not mud sections which vehicles could struggle through. If two vehicles met on the track one can drive onto the adjacent field to pass.
The entrance gate, off the A10, is locked at all other times and the club has erected signs banning unauthorised use of the track. In fact anyone caught using the track without the clubs permission will be banned from all Motocross events on the Island.
The track and paddock are regularly visited by club officials for maintenance and the club keeps an eye on unofficial use of the track to ensure that unauthorised use does not occur.
The Paddock has been levelled and easily accommodates over 100 vehicles with the field next to the access track used as an overspill car park. We estimate that up to 250 vehicles in total can be accommodated, if required. Parking cones are placed on the entrance to this field, on the A10, and the club does not allow, and polices, parking on the main road. We estimate up to 140 vehicles may come to our more popular events, when the hosts a Motocross championship round however the additional usage we are asking for is for our summer series which is purely for school children which would only attract a maximum of 100 vehicles.
On the site maps the area in red is the site we currently have established use to hold 7 motocross events, the area in blue is the land owned by Mr Clark. And the area in green marked 1 is the paddock area and marked 2 is the over spill/access filed.
The club holds events in accordance with strict ACU guidelines with club officials holding required ACU licences (e.g. Clerk of the Course & Course Steward) to host events Ambulance and paramedic cover are on hand throughout the event.
Refreshments and toilet facilities are always on hand Litter bins are provided and the club undertakes tidy up exercise after each event No additional lighting is required as the Club does not hold events in the dark. The club does not have control over land outside that marked in red.
The club hopes the committee look favourably at their application in that these events are held for the benefit of the children some of whom in turn are flying the flag for the Isle of Man in motocross events in England and further a field. Additionally all our events are strictly controlled with medical cover on hand should the need arise.
The club and its events has, and continues to, provide a much needed hobby and direction for generations of young schoolboys in which to apply themselves and keep them from wandering the streets, keeping them out of trouble.
Yours Sincerely
Mr Paul Thorley Chairman, Isle of Man Schoolboy Motocross Club
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