THE future of a motocross course that was constructed without permission is up in the air after councillors refused it leave to stay.

Epping Forest District Council's decision to turn down retrospective permission for the Essex MX course, off the A414 between North Weald Market and Hastingwood, delighted campaigners who had objected on the grounds of noise and traffic problems.

Chairman of Hastingwood Action Group Viv Chipperfield said: “A number of councillors said they completely opposed it and it should never have come forward.

“We're the ones who have to put up with the noise so this is very good news for us. We get bikes coming in at the weekend, and they wanted it at bank holidays too. We came here to live in the country and what with one thing and another it hasn't been nice.”

North Weald Parish Council and local MP Robert Halfon had filed objections to the course along with a number of residents, but it had also received many letters of support from users, and was recommended for approval by council officers.

Roger Richards, 55, of Glover Lane, Hastingwood, spoke against the course at the planning meeting.

He said: “I'm delighted with the result. We were fearful it might have gone through because of the officers' recommendation. I objected to it on behalf of the residents, and the parish council objected to it. I think the councillors received the objections quite well.”

Planning committee chairman Cllr Tony Boyce said: “There was a general feeling there was road safety issues with the A414 and evidence noise could be heard above the traffic on the M11. Also if it had gone through there wouldn't just be burger vans there but other stalls and shops.”

The future of the course, which has been in place since 2002, is now uncertain.

Mr Richards said: “I don't think they'll take any notice of it. They've had previous refusals and they're still there. Eventually the Local Authority will have to do something.”

The course owners have been asked to comment.