Rally given permission despite local concerns

A controversial car rally has been given the green light to race through the Shropshire countryside, despite objections from residents living nearby.

People living in villages around the Stiperstones National Nature Reserve said they were worried about the impact The Hills Ford Stages Rally would have on the environment.

They were also unhappy about the potential noise and intrusion, with a councillor stepping down over the decision to grant the closures for the rally.

Cheltenham Motor Club, which is organising the race in September, said they would comply with all legal and environmental requirements.

The plans were considered by Shropshire Council's cabinet on Wednesday and, while councillors granted approval, they said they wanted the concerns to be discussed with the organisers.

Former Liberal Democrat councillor Chris Naylor said he had resigned from the ruling party over the decision, arguing that objections from residents in his Pulverbatch ward had been ignored.

Naylor said villagers had raised concerns for months and claimed the approved route included road closures despite earlier assurances that roads in the area would not be affected.

"I'm absolutely not anti-rally," he said in a statement after being contacted by the BBC. "But if it's true that all the proposed 'closed road' sections for the rally have been approved, then I've failed the very rural Pulverbatch community I serve, and have to step away from the Lib Dems here.

"Pulverbatch have done everything right, but now local views have been ignored. It's a David and Goliath situation."

The rally is due to have a ceremonial start in Shrewsbury on 19 September, followed by five stages across southern Shropshire the following day.

Council leader Heather Kidd, who represents the Stiperstones ward, also voted against the plans and said it was rare for an application of this type to be referred to cabinet.

"It was so controversial that something that wouldn't normally come to cabinet did so for us to have a free vote," she said.

"I was supporting my residents who live on the edge of the Stiperstones, who will have road closures, 140 cars tearing through there over a couple of sessions during the day on a tiny road which is very hilly.

"For those residents, getting in and out will be difficult and two or three of them are pretty elderly and they just find that whole concept really difficult."

Supporters argued the event would bring visitors, investment and national attention to the county.

Paul Woodford, a rally driver and motorsport presenter for a Shrewsbury-based video production company, said many fears about the sport were misplaced.

"I hear phrases like 'cars tearing up the lanes' and things like that, but actually it's a very heavily regulated, highly restricted and professionally run event," he said.

"When a rally comes to town, everybody just appears to embrace it. I have never met anybody who isn't excited by the buzz that it creates and the investment that comes in.

"You'll see a lot of safety infrastructure, you'll see a lot of professional people there and provisions made for locals in terms of emergency access.

Roads will be closed to allow the rally to take place, but the route will not be revealed until the time, to stop "copycat driving".

About 140 vehicles are due to take part in the race.

Organisers said they were "delighted" with the outcome and thanked councillors for making a decision that took into account "all sides of the debate".

"We are very aware that Shropshire Council have placed a lot of trust in us by agreeing to give us the go-ahead to proceed, and, as the organisers of the event, we do not take this lightly," the statement said.

"Our focus is now on organising an event that Shropshire can be proud of and is able to get behind.

"Our role is not just to put on a top-class closed road rally but also to enhance the benefits and opportunities for local communities."

The council said it considered all the concerns raised and concluded they had been taken into account.

It said the event would also bring visitors to the county and an economic benefit to Shrewsbury and surrounding areas.

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