AN APPLICATION to national park planners to run motorcycle and quadbike events on Exmoor moorland for up to 50 weekends a year was this week withdrawn after neighbours organised a ‘Save our Silence’ campaign to stop it.

As reported in last week’s Free Press, Ridian and Jasmine Wilford of Allercott Farm, Timberscombe, had applied for a certificate of existing lawful use and development for land at Allercott Pitts, which they said had been used as a popular motorcycle scramble, trials and motorcross track for over ten years.

More than a dozen neighbours objected to the scheme in response to the national park’s request for comments on the application. The consultation process was set to end yesterday (Thursday) but on Monday, a national park spokesperson confirmed the application had been withdrawn.

Leading the ‘Save our Silence – Keep Exmoor Quiet’ campaign, Robin Wight said that ‘very noisy motocross activity was already an intrusion on the quiet enjoyment of our property’.

Supporting the application, representatives of motor clubs said the venue had been used for events for many years and would be badly missed if they stopped.

Under the current regulations, Allercott Pitts can be used for competitions for up to 14 days a year without permission for a change of use being necessary.