So u wanted to know what all the fuss was about - Pembrey Noise

[Alan-Phil Bevan Trackdays]

Ok - Ok, we did have a little rant over the noise limits @ the PBTD.

They've just been to Court :

£60,000 BILL FEAR AFTER RACE TRACK NOISE RULING

21 July 2008

Carmarthenshire Council is facing a bill of more than £60,000 after a noise abatement order it had slapped on Pembrey Racing Circuit was quashed.Magistrates in Llanelli decided the circuit had not, as alleged, created a statutory nuisance and overturned the order imposed last September.

After the verdict, council bosses expressed disappointment that residents would no longer be protected from unreasonable noise from the track, but circuit director Phil Davies said it was a welcome result.

"We are very pleased with the outcome of this appeal," he said.


"Although we regret it had to go to court at all - we believe it could have been resolved without that."

The circuit was hit with the order on September 11 last year, after receiving complaints from two nearby residents who said the noise from the races, and from testing events, was making their lives a misery.

Speaking at the hearing, council lawyer Jonathan Rees alleged that the track caused an "unreasonable interference with the enjoyment of their properties," adding that, in the words of one of the complainants, the sound was like "a swarm of angry bees".

The magistrates said, however, that there were several reasons why the order was not warranted, including that the race track has been operating for nearly 20 years, that in that time the track had stopped testing Formula 1 cars - the noisiest - and that the number of complaints about it was exceptionally low.

"The track is located in a rural, coastal, mainly recreational and agricultural area," they said.

"The noise readings are often much lower than the 50 decibel acceptable level set by the World Health Organisation.

"The noise does not amount to a statutory nuisance, therefore we allow the appeal and quash the abatement order."

Ralph Lewis QC, representing the racing circuit, estimated it had spent more than £63,000, plus VAT, on the case. The case was adjourned for 21 days to allow for the two parties to try to negotiate a settlement.

But Carmarthenshire Council head of public protection, Philip Davies insisted the fight was not over yet.

"We are considering the decision in detail, and the reasons for upholding the appeal, which we will discuss with our legal advisors," he said.

"This decision is extremely disappointing and it means that residents of Pembrey now have no protection from unreasonable noise from the motor racing circuit."

Personally I think the last statement is a load of boll*cks but there we are.

Haven't heard the ins and outs yet but will by Thursday....

If anyones suffering the credit crunch I'd look for a career change and become a QC..

[Gilps]

A good result, but a question. Is everyone in Wales call Phil Davies?

[Alan-Phil Bevan Trackdays]

glips - Bevan say's the names have had to be changed to protect the innocent....

I recon he was working for both sides and has either broken even or dun a runnner with £120 K

The noise readings are often much lower than the 50 decibel acceptable level set by the World Health Organisation.

dunno what this bit is - suppose I'll have to google it. Wonder if it's to do with ambient noise levels - unless they bring in a 50 db bike noise level @ the circuit. We'll be signing everyone on with slippers and issuing push bikes !

[chass]

N ow we need to sort Castle Combe

[Dan]

Good result Alan.... see you next Summer if not before!

[desmoboy]

Presumably 50DB measured from the edge of the Pembury property then. Or measured from the back gardens of the complainents, which is after all, where it would be relevant to them.

[Alan-Phil Bevan Trackdays]

Dan - TD's are going up soon - gonna be £500 each. Got a bill to pay....

Found out - Noise limits from WHA is relevant ambient noise measure outside the property. Seems the ba*tards have been sat there with logs / noise meters measuring - then they argue in court with Pembrey's Noise logs.

Stupid thing is tho' the land - in fact the whole massive area inc the Country Park is still under the MOD control. Has been since WW2 and before. Nobody say's **** all when the tornado's come belting across doing low level stuff - mind u u might not hear them if there's a bike TD going on ...Ha !

U can see the houses concerned from the Circuit. In the distance like....

Chass - no chance with Coombe !

[Bambam]

Originally Posted by desmoboy

Presumably 50DB measured from the edge of the Pembury property then. Or measured from the back gardens of the complainents, which is after all, where it would be relevant to them.

That's a good result, particularly as the complainants were whinging about a sound level of 50dB. After a quick googling, I found this page. Apparently 50dB is about the sound level of "..a dishwasher in the next room", and 60dB is the level of a normal converation

[Lin]

Result..........

[Ollie]

[quote=Alan-Phil Bevan Trackdays;211670]U can see the houses concerned from the Circuit. In the distance like....

quote]

I could always remove them when i do another fly bye in my Tornado next time??

working for the government has its bonuses!

[Alan-Phil Bevan Trackdays]

Found this - from 1991 - When they had F1 testing.

Paul Seaby recalls his time testing with Benetton at Pembrey: "There's an incident we always referred to as 'Elephant Safety'. This occurred on a trip down to Pembrey in about 1991 for a quick test. On arrival at the circuit we had noticed a painted cloth banner on the main gate protesting against noise from the circuit but we thought nothing of it.
"We fired up and ran round for the day and started our nightly strip of the car for inspection and service when two gentlemen arrived wearing 'high viz' vests proclaiming in a Welsh accent that they were from "Pembrey Council Elephant Safety" Department.
"It soon became apparent that they were from the Health and Safety Dept but the guy's strong accennt and the fact he grunted after every sentence, made us all crack up laughing and we had to ask him to repeat where he was from over and over again. Then it got better as he started to ask 'tick box' questions about the car.
"He asked us if the car was a modified vehicle, whether it had a standard exhaust system and does it conform to silencing regulations? We replied, "well it is an F1 car!" and started asking him questions. 'If we're too noisy and the residents complain, how come there are RAF jets low flying over the area constantly?' His reply was (in a whisper) 'officially they don't exist so they don't count as a noise pollutant'. At this we again cracked up.
We then broached the subject of the protester and his reply was that he was a local that didn't like the noise and was making the council do something about it to which he added 'It's a bit embarrassing really because if we have to prosecute the circuit it is us that own it, so we'll have to take ourselves to court!' This comment was the crowning glory!"