RESIDENTS who campaigned against “noisy” motorbike racing on their doorstep have claimed victory after the landowner withdrew a planning bid at the 11th hour.

The application by Brian Bennett for retrospective permission for two racetracks at Yorkley Court Farm in Yorkley was due to be considered by Forest councillors last Tuesday.

But it was withdrawn after hundreds of residents protested to planners about having their peace wrecked by “upwards of 100” motocross competitors riding on the land.

Two petitions against the scheme attracted 641 signatures, while the council received 312 representations from people opposed to it.

A report from Forest planning officer Tony Pope recommending refusal said the motocross noise would cause “significant harm” to people living nearby, while the tracks damaged the “character, tranquillity, appearance and landscape of the surrounding area.”

Other issues included “unacceptable harm” to the local heritage, including the Grade II-listed Yorkley Court farmhouse itself, safety fears over mine workings on the land and the effect on wildlife and ecology. The council has now referred the case back to its enforcement team.