Fury at plan for race cars

Villagers have launched a move to halt controversial plans for Ferarris, Porsches and rally cars to race around a rural airfield near Stafford.

Following angry scenes at a packed meeting last night, residents living near Seighford Airfield want to stop proposals for high-speed driving experiences at the site. They say a Government inspector should decide the project's future.

Flintshire-based Driveme. net Ltd has requested permission to continue coaching drivers in performance cars such as the Audi R8, Subaru Impreza and Mitsubishi Evo.

On the company's website, it boasts that customers can drive 200mph Lamborghinis, carry out handbrake turns and enjoy high speed "white-knuckle passenger rides" at the site near Stafford.

A planning application, submitted to Stafford Borough Council, includes plans for four tracks, 283 car parking spaces and buildings for vehicle storage and maintainance.

However, people living near the site have already raised concerns over noise and traffic from driving events at the airfield. And earlier this year, the borough council refused to issue a certificate of lawfulness to allow motor vehicle testing at the site.

Last night, a special public meeting was held in Great Bridgeford Village Hall to discuss the plans.

Seighford Parish Council chairman Jean Wetton said: "It was standing room only at the back and it was an angry meeting – the consensus of opinion seemed to be that 95 per cent of people in the room were against it.

"People were saying that once we get that at the airfield, are we also going to get this, that and the other afterwards.

"As a parish council, we don't have any clout in planning matters but we can make a lot of noise. I am trying to get hold of our nearest borough councillor to get it called in this morning then it will go to a higher authority."

Councillor Wetton added that Driveme.net had sent four representatives to the meeting who gave out leaflets and tried to address the villagers' concerns.

And Driveme.net director Andy Davies has said that the company had taken steps to curb the noise of cars used on its track.

"We have sold two of the noisiest vehicles and the new circuit has been designed to enable vehicles to take corners in third and fourth gear to further reduce noise," he explained.

Meanwhile, Ranton Parish Council will discuss the application at its next meeting on April 24.