An appeal has been won to bring back supercar experience days to a site in Bovingdon, despite dozens of complaints about noise from residents.

In January last year, companies operating on the site at Runways Farm, Upper Bourne End Lane, were served with an enforcement notice to stop motor activities taking place. Farm owner Cathy Leahy appealed the decision from Dacorum Borough Council in February 2014.

Subsequent to airfield operations ceasing at the site, Runways Farm in the past has been associated with many motor related purposes, including go-karts, motorcycles and car auto-tests. There is also current permission for the police to use part of the site for training purposes for 60 days of the year.

Residents living near the site submitted dozens of noise nuisance complaints, and these were heard by the planning inspector on September 9 and 10 in 2014. There was also concern regarding the proposal being an inappropriate development on Green Belt land.

On Tuesday, January 14 the planning inspector decided that it was not the principle of motor use on the site, but the way the use occurs which was causing concern - sounds of engine revving and tyre squealing. However an acoustic consultant indicated that acceptable noise levels could be set at the track side and permanent monitoring undertaken, and the cars could be altered to make them quieter.

The planning inspector also decided that the motoring facilities could be placed well away from the brow of the hill at the centre of the site. This way the impact on openness of the Green Belt could be substantially reduced to the extent that it could be considered that the openness of the Green Belt would be preserved.

It was concluded that some form of motor uses could continue to be suitable at the site, but the way the current uses are operating is causing unacceptable disturbance. The planning inspector ruled that unless the disturbance can be controlled by the conditions proposed, the use of the site should cease, and that the site for now should operate under a "trial run" for the next two years.

Following the decision, Bernadette Hillman, planning partner at Debenhams Ottaway solicitors, representing Mrs Leahy, said: "We are naturally pleased at the outcome, which will safeguard the future of the businesses operating from the site."

Brad Gunn, chair of Bovingdon Action Group, who set up the website "save Bovingdon green Belt", said: "Residents are very upset and feel very let down. The planning inspector acknowledged the harm to the community but seemed to overrule that in his decision.

"What happens if they don't implement the conditions? Are they allowed to do that for two years? If the problems continue at the end of the two years then we'll be appealing again.

"We hope for the best in that all the problems will be resolved, and that permanent damage caused to the Green Belt."