The green light has been given for Brentwood Karting to go ahead with a massive extension of its Warley racetrack.

It was the third time the 10-year-old company had applied for permission after previous applications were refused and withdrawn and owner, Giles Murray, was delighted with the planning committee's decision.

It is hoped work will begin on the extension, which will see the existing 250metre course grow to a 650metre track, will start in the winter.

A spokesman for Brentwood Karting said they would be able to keep racing on the current circuit while the new track is built and then they would only have to close the raceway down for a week to make the final touches.

Concerns were raised at the planning meeting by the Great Warley Conservation Society and a spokesman said they were worried about additional noise and lighting the new course would create as well as fears over more cars using the narrow and unpaved Warley Gap road to the Warley Park site.

Mr Murray dismissed fears of noise from a tannoy system saying the track has never had one.

He added: "Brentwood Karting has grown in popularity every year and we believe that these improvements will help our business grow even more.

"We are confident the improved facilities will be a hit with customers and also attract new people to Warley."

The planning application also included 23 lighting columns positioned around the raceway, a new building for toilets, changing rooms and driver briefings and Mr Giles has promised that the company will 'smarten up' the large containers used to store and repair the karts.

Published Tuesday September 14, 2004

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