We had a meeting today with the forestry managers and the owners of the rally school that operate above Carno (some of you will know who I mean). They're looking / hoping to relocate to the forest here. Obviously, we'll fight the proposal as will most of Pennant but should it come to pass, then chances are that will mean the demise of Bear Bones Towers and some of what goes with it.

i wanted to share, as I believe 'Boners' are just as much a part of the place as the trees and fields. I'll keep you posted.

F'that for a game of cards. Anything that can be done from outside the valley to potentially prevent it?

I don't really know what to say

Fuk. Made me sick just to think about it. Feel for you. Who do we write to.

chances are that will mean the demise of Bear Bones Towers and some of what goes with it.

As in it'll involve them taking over the land, or that you'll no longer want to live there? Crap news, either way.

Anything that can be done from outside the valley to potentially prevent it

Nothing currently but perhaps once there's a planning application.

Who do we write to.

See above Reg.

As in it'll involve them taking over the land, or that you'll no longer want to live there?

The later.

No very green option is it. Bummer

I'd say such a thing would never get planning permission, given the houses in the area. There is tons of stuff in the regs about noise production (of any given development) and impact on local environment. If it was a global mega corp planning a vast food processing site, then enough back handers might be forthcoming to push it through. But I 'd have thought a rally school won't be that well resourced and will not be in a position to put much of a financial case forward. It may be that they are trying several venues with a view that one of them may work.

So I wouldn't say "don't worry" but I wouldn't be too worried, as long as you and fellow residents can put in well constructed objections along the lines of loss of amenity, noise pollution, environmental impact, carbon impact etc. Get the local cooncillors involved too as they will be on the planning committee that makes the final decision.

I believe we're their last hope Phil.

You're right about noise, environment, etc but I do wonder that if they can be seen to tick some boxes in order to be shown that they've tried to minimise any impact, then they might just get it. The owners of the rally school probably haven't got infinite resources but the owners of the forest possibly do - the majority of the timber is now felled so they'll be looking for another income stream.

the majority of the timber is now felled so they'll be looking for another income stream.

Grants to plant more trees and selling carbon credits for the same is the easy business model

Who owns the forest?

Looking at the map http://streetmap.co.uk/map?X=285980&Y=297302&A=Y&Z=120 that's a steep sided valley with not many (marked) tracks but I assume there's been a few more added to aid in the timber extraction.

Compare with the woods above Carno http://streetmap.co.uk/map?X=291002&Y=293819&A=Y&Z=120 which is relatively flat and more suited to a "school" and it's hard to see a reason to use the area above Pennant. Somewhere like the area around Angler's Retreat is better suited to high speed motorsport (not that I'd wish it on that area)

Just let us know anything we can do to help Stu. I’m happy to glue myself to anything (apart from Taylor)

They have to leave Carno due to a new windfarm extension Bob. I believe they'd love to stay put but that's not an option. The did look here last year but dismissed it for the reasons you mention but they're now desperate and reconsidering. They'll need to put new tracks in otherwise they don't have a 'loop', they'd also need to erect armco on some parts and built dirt bankings on others. Seems a massive undertaking to me but they must think it's worthwhile.

You'll like to think there's a lot more hoops to jump through and expense setting up nowadays
Hopefully it gets nowhere near planning

FFS

Can't think of anything constructive to say.

Forget how we feel, it's your welfare that comes first. I cannot think how sh1t this makes you feel...

Protect the Bear!!!

Si

Like some others, I really don’t know what today. Sounds like a sub standard situation, hopefully it will work out in your favour

Ah what a PITA Stu.

See if it needs an EIA, that'll make costs and hurdles at planning stage rather more challenging.

Also, whilst you might be modest about what you do, I wonder if that very stuff would help show there is more to the area than just an unused space for some petrol heads to rag round.

Very sorry to hear this is all happening tho. As others have said, let me know if I can do anything to help.

See if it needs an EIA, that'll make costs and hurdles at planning stage rather more challenging

I shall look into that Tim, ta.

To be fair, I actually feel some sympathy towards the school. They've operated from the same place for 40 years (under 3 different owners) but due to greed, are now been booted off - perhaps just as much 'victims' as anyone else.

Sorry to hear this Stuart. If there’s an online petition to sign at any point, you have our support. I hope nothing comes of this and you can carry on living there.

Sheeze ... fingers crossed for BBT ! If any letters need writing I'm sure you can mobilise a fair few Boners !
I definitely wouldn't underestimate your own doings Stu... we're a VERY green, literally the epitome, the essence of greenness. For a completely ungreen (magenta?) sport to see the end of a green one seems beyond comprehension.

On our way to BBT to that fabulous beer'n'music event you held in '18 (?) us bum'oles riding in from Newtown accidentally wandered onto the rally track whilst it was in use There we were, 5 of us with our loaded bikes mooching down a manicured track when a BRAAAP-BRAP-BRAAAAAAAP-BRAAAAAPPP noise can be heard heading our way a MK2 escort rally car slides around the corner in front of us as we dive off into the trees.... they weren't best pleased.
To be fair to us there weren't any signs on the Bridleway warning us. The Bridleway turned out to be non existent on the ground and we had to reroute Llawr-y-glyn & Staylittle.
I appreciate they want to make a living and provide a probably popular service. But you have the right to peace & quite and to continue with your life too.

Interesting situation. As you say, a Planning Application will be necessary and there could be several reasons for objecting on planning grounds including access issues along with some others mentioned above. If there are sufficient numbers of objectors it may be worth considering employing a Planning Consultant to put forward the objections based on Planning Law.
Stu, it might also be worth having a chat with Ian? He would have a greater insight to the values of forestry, land value, etc., especially as (I believe) the area is privately owned rather than NR Wales (although it may be leased either way).
To my mind the topography doesn't look particularly good for the purpose! You are in an area with precedents though including their existing site and Sweet Lamb. It will be interesting to see how it goes moving forward

As much as I like rallying I hope things work out for you Stu

Wonder how many people attend rally school compared with BB events and our support of local businesses.

psling wrote: ↑Thu Mar 02, 2023 11:24 am Sweet Lamb

Why don't they just join forces with Sweet Lamb. Infrastructure already there, can hardly be used 365/24/7 at the moment, and is miles from any habitation.

Why don't they just join forces with Sweet Lamb. Infrastructure already there, can hardly be used 365/24/7 at the moment, and is miles from any habitation.

I'm told it's an avenue already explored Reg.

Stu, it might also be worth having a chat with Ian?

It's Ian's company who manage the forest Peter.