Barry Travers' nine-hectare scrambler site was denied planning in 2020
Allenwood businessman Barry Travers says he will fight to keep his motocross racetrack despite building it without permission, and having it rejected by planners twice, according to the Irish Independent.
Residents with homes near the unauthorised development say they want it gone for good, and that they have had to put up with disturbances from the project for over four years.
Mr Travers' nine-hectare scrambler track was denied planning in 2020, as planners ruled it would create too much traffic, noise and dust and could jeopardise a local stream and curlew habitat.
Mr Travers then made a second application, including analysis from planning and ecology experts disputing the grounds for refusal.
However, planners denied that application last month, restating most of their original concerns.
They also said there would be a loss of biodiversity, which Mr Travers refutes, saying he had improved the site for wildlife by planting trees and allowing the formation of ponds where earth was dug out for mounds.
Mr Travers expressed his disappointment at this decision, and said he was out of pocket by at least €80,000.
Kildare County Council has yet to issue any directions regarding the site.
Despite the halt of developments of ramps, jumps, hills and chicanes, there are reports of continued activities at the track.
Mr Travers has acknowledged personal use of the track for practice, but denies continuing to develop the facility.
Previously, he had argued that there was a need for his facility, as people were using illegal tracks around Kildare, and he was trying to provide a proper run facility.
Local Fine Gael Councillor Brendan Wyse, who objected the project, said: "I don’t have a problem with the idea but this is not the right place for it. And just because he has gone so far in building it now doesn’t make it the right place."
Kildare County Council said it could not comment on the case "as there is an open Unauthorised Development file in relation to this application".
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