Mansall karting expansion approved

But 'lighthouse' worries will have to be allayed

Expansion plans at an outdoor karting circuit backed by former Formula 1 world champion Nigel Mansell have been approved, but only if they don’t stand out like a lighthouse.

A new workshop, reception area, and visitor and race control facilities will be built in a new building next to the 750m outdoor racing track at the Dunkeswell Aerodrome. They will replace the existing portacabins and outbuildings currently used by Mansell Raceway. 

East Devon District Council planners had approved the scheme in 2017, but the application had to be revised by moving the building, rotating it 10 degrees towards the racetrack and increasing the height by 50cm after problems with the under structure were discovered.

Councillors were told that there would an increase in the glazing on the first floor, facing south, meaning there would be an almost four-fold increase in the amount of windows. Dunkeswell Councillor Colin Brown wanted the plans to be refused, saying ‘it will stand out like a lighthouse’.

He said: “It will end up with light spill in the open countryside. This is a building that is on top of the plateau and it will be stand out like a lighthouse any time it is being used with the lights on. They say it won’t be used in darkness, but the operating hours are 9am-9pm, so part of the year will be in darkness. It will be detrimental to the Blackdown Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, so it should be refused.”

But Njal Lovell, representing the applicant, said: “Whenever the name Mansell appears, the planners are in for a very rough ride from a minority of the community. It is a shame really, as the local parish council seem happy to approve any planning on the air field, but not for another long standing business that has been on the site for over 50 years.”

Cllr David Key asked for one way glass: "so you can look out, but it will stop so much light going out when it is dark.”

Chris Rose, the council’s planning officer, said that would cost more. He instead said that if it was the difference between refusal and approval, a condition requiring details of a scheme to minimise light pollution from the proposed windows to be submitted to and approved in writing by planners in order to minimise the impact from light pollution on the AONB.

Cllr Paul Carter said that there were ways that the harm of the light pollution could be mitigated. He added: “It is great to see this business moving forward as they have been there for a long time.”

Councillors voted by 13 votes to one abstention, that subject to lighting mitigation being approved, the plans should be approved.

At present, Mansell Raceway comprises of the 750m Kart racing circuit itself, a converted race trailer providing a race control, changing and vending area and a portacabin which provides office accommodation and a small club room for such activity as safety briefings. Toilet facilities are provided in the form of temporary portable facilities.