RESIDENTS’ concerns about noise have prompted councillors to defer a decision on whether a go-kart centre can be set up in Keynsham.
Go Karting for Fun Limited, which operates under the name of TeamSport, wants to use a vacant warehouse in Unity Road for the venue.
Up to 16 electric go-karts could be used at a time, and the centre would be open from 8am to 11pm seven days a week.
The plan is to use the vacant half of a building, behind Waitrose, that was previously occupied as a single unit by IJ McGill. It was split in two in 2019, and the other half is occupied by builders merchant CRS Building Supplies.
Officers at Bath & North East Somerset Council had recommended that the change of use be approved, subject to conditions on noise, delivery hours and opening hours.
But a meeting of the council’s planning committee heard that people living nearby in Unity Road were opposed.
One resident of the “peaceful and pleasant” row of house 35 metres from the site said that none of residents’ concerns had been mitigated by TeamSports or the council.
He told councillors that the plan would result in a late-night entertainment venue running 364 days a year.
“The only respite we would get from the constant noise, traffic and antisocial behaviour is Christmas Day.”
He said TeamSport, in submitting their plans, had made little or no mention of the fact that its other centres around the country have late-night drinks licences and that it actively promotes stag and hen parties.
“The people of Keynsham have very little to benefit from this application and the residents of Unity Road have everything to lose,” he added.
Dom Gaynor, CEO of TeamSport, told councillors it was the largest go-karting company in the UK, with 36 centres nationwide.
He said that industrial units were ideal for go-karts because of their large floor space, lack of supporting columns, and high ceilings. Despite a 30-month marketing campaign, no offers for the site had been received from industrial companies.
Mr Gaynor added that the site would create up to 40 local jobs.
“We are really confident that we can operate without any adverse impact on our neighbours,” he said.
But Councillor Andy Wait supported nearby residents in opposing the plans.
He said that a centre offering “noisy” entertainment with “screeching brakes and revving engines” would not be appropriate so close to people’s homes.
Other councillors at the meeting were also concerned about rowdy people leaving the site late at night. They felt that shorter hours, such as closing at 10pm Monday to Thursday and 7pm on Sunday, might be more appropriate.
The committee agreed to defer a decision so council officers could talk to the company about whether the go-karting centre would still be viable with shorter hours.
The meeting heard that a drinks licence would be the subject of a separate licensing application.
Keynsham go-kart centre plan decision deferred
