Motorcycle school withdraws over noise fears

BAD news for those planning to get on two wheels in Norfolk after a motorcycle training centre has had to shelve plans for a new practical training area after neighbouring business complained.

First reported in the Diss Mercury, the training school wanted to make use of an overflow carpark as a safe, off-road location for new riders to get to grips with motorcycles and take their CBT. The plans hit the rocks after neighbouring companies based in the nearby Diss Business Hub objected to the change of use.

The overflow carpark that had been earmarked for the development was for staff and customers of Simonds Coach depot on Oak Drive, the proposed site back on to the business hub.

The application made to the council for the site would have allowed training for up to eight students, six days per week. With the hours of operation running between 8.30am and 5pm. The site had been due to be discussed at South Norfolk Council's planning development committee until the school’s owners withdrew the application.

Alan Stevens, co-owner of the Norwich and Harleston and Diss franchises of Camrider Motorcycle Training, has now withdrawn his plans saying he felt he had no alternative as they had been recommended for refusal.

The news is the latest in a long line of almost anti-motorcycle events in the media, with acoustic ‘cameras’ looking likely and the BBC reports on the ‘irritating’ motorcycles. Sadly it seems the wider UK media, and the non-biking public, don’t realise how vital motorcycles are to the UK economy and the environment.