CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a go-kart circuit next to two old people's homes on Green Belt land in St Albans will be submitted this week.

The proposal has already sparked angry protest from local residents, who claim a kart track would be too noisy and cause further traffic problems in the area.

A consortium of local businessmen is to apply to St Albans District Council to construct an 18-acre outdoor karting centre on the site between the A405, the M25 and Lye Lane in How Wood.

The plans follow a recent influx of applications to build large developments on Green Belt land in the district, in particular for a massive hotel and conference centre on an adjacent site.

Former chairman of the council's planning committee, Mr David Parry, of Park Street, said: "I think this seems to be a fully concerted attempt to destroy the Green Belt in our area.

"There are two difficulties here - one is how to access the site and the other issue is noise because the place that would be most affected by that is the residents home for the elderly."

The land, which backs onto to Allington Court and Tenterden House care homes, is currently used as a waste dumping ground, although its owners had originally proposed to build a golf course.

Mr Parry predicted residents, who consider the site an eyesore and want the rubbish to be removed, would be split in their support of the scheme.

Bupa, which runs the care homes, refused to comment until the plans were submitted to the council.

It would cost about £2 million to clear the entire 55 acre site, according to St Albans accountant Kevin O'Malley, who is preparing the application.

He is working on behalf of Mr Roger White, who manufactures karts in London Colney, and an indoor kart circuit company based in London, which did not wish to be named.

December 12, 2001 18:00