Riders fear for future of biking 'community'

A group of trial bike riders in Rotherham have said they fear their "special community" will be lost if they cannot secure planning permission.

A proposal to change farmland at Hooton Roberts for use as a recreational trial bikes area was originally declined in 2024 over concerns for the impact on local woodland and potential noise pollution.

The owners, who also run Hooton Lodge Farm Campsite, say they will have to close permanently if the application is refused again.

Andrew Bramidge of Rotherham Council said: "We recognise the interest in this matter from all parties and will continue to follow the appropriate procedures as the assessment of the application progresses."

Owner Charlie Schofield said: "Anti-social behaviour on bikes is getting worse and this is a place they can actually ride legally and not just teenagers, I had grown men in my arms crying when it was refused last time."

Schofield admitted that he should have sought approval to convert some of his land when he first opened a trial bike area two days a week for children in 2018.

"I didn't realise we needed it then," he said.

"I was making sure we had affiliation from the Amateur Motorcycle Association first.

"We're governed by them and insured through them.

"It's not like everybody is riding willy-nilly.

"Everyone has to wear helmet, gloves and boots. We have travelling marshalls. We do it properly."

While an application was submitted to Rotherham Council in 2020, the refusal decision came in 2024.

Bramidge, Executive Director for Regeneration and Environment at the council, said: "It is not possible to grant planning permission without all the relevant information.

"This lengthened the original application process significantly in this case."

Schofield describes the 2024 decision as "devastating" but is confident things have now changed.

"We've no noise complaints here," he said.

"As you drive through the campsite there's partridge, pheasant, deer. It's a safe haven for them.

"These woodlands are historical but a lot of the silver birch trees are dying, so I've planted 200 young English oak trees from the money the trials bike park's generated."

Dougie Lampkin MBE is a 12-time World Trials champion, and has trained at the track since it first opened.

He said the sport was "misunderstood".

"Everyone associates motorcycles with racing and we are far from it," he said.

"Bikes are lighter and we ride slow over technical courses so it's quieter.

"We've all seen them flying down the streets with balaclavas on and things like that but we can't all be tarnished with the same brush."

Abe, 14, has ridden at the site since his dad Alan first brought him aged six.

"He wanted to ride in Denaby Woods where he shouldn't be, but I didn't want him riding illegally," Alan said.

"I did it myself as a young kid.

"He's a young man now. This is a special community for him. It's not just about riding the bike. It's like a family."

Local developers Fenwood Estates Ltd and Sutton CL Ltd, which are building 32 homes in Thrybergh, have submitted objections to the new application.

On the council planning portal, they say: "We are concerned that the proposed motorcycle facility could affect the residential amenity of its future occupiers and the wider Thrybergh area."

The developers have called on the council to properly assess the "likely noise levels" at the new homes and gardens.

Local Independent Thrybergh councillor Michael Sylvester said he had "every confidence" the park would be well managed and that could bring a lot of money and jobs into the local economy.

"It gives people a gateway into having biking as a proper hobby," he said.

More than 7,000 people have signed a petition supporting the proposal to keep the trial park open.

Bramidge said: "It is our responsibility to consider all relevant information as part of our duties and to ensure all decisions are made fairly, objectively, and based on evidence available."

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