Croft Circuit
Last week I wrote about the future of Croft if it lost it’s court appeal and had to compensate neighbours who have allegedly been troubled by noise.
Derek and Julia Watson and their daughter Jill Wilson, won the original case at the High Court in April 2008 and were awarded almost £150,000 in compensation for ‘loud, intrusive and repetitive noise’. The circuit was also ordered to pay £700,000 in Court costs.
Croft Promosport Ltd lost their appeal on Monday and now the future of the popular circuit is in doubt.
Furthermore, the circuit has also had an injunction issued against them to limit activities to just 40 days of the year. The British superbike events along with the British Touring cars are active between 45-50 days as it is.
Unfortunately, this has now set a precedent, with all race circuits now open to claims for noise pollution. These circuits rely on track days to bring the extra revenue needed to keep the track going.
It seems rather more of a case of a bitter divorce than noise issues as it appears that Jill Wilson was once married to the Mr Wilson of Croft Promosport Ltd.
On Monday the circuit issued this statement;
“Croft Promosport Ltd is extremely disappointed with the Court of Appeal’s decision today in relation to the recent High Court judgement, which has serious implications for the circuit and the motor racing industry generally.
We are reviewing the position carefully and would not with to make any further comment at this stage”.
4 comments so far
1 shane hill // Apr 29, 2009 at 10:39 pm
why would anybody buy a house next to a race track and then complain. just done practice day at malory houses very close to track no complaints,think she’s just taking p—s ,tipical uk law judge should say buy next to- what you excpect,love to have house next to some track.
2 Gary Hall // May 19, 2009 at 12:55 pm
mORE OR LESS SAME AS THE PREVIOUS COMMENTS. THEN YOU THROW IN THE FACT THAT SHE USED TO BE MARRIED TO ONE OF THE OWNERS/ DIRECTORS. OBVIOUSLY SHE DIDNT GET E BIG ENOUGH DIVORCE SETTLEMENT !!
3 Rick Hill // May 28, 2009 at 10:06 pm
Visited friends who live very close to Croft on 17th May. They are not bothered in the slightest by the noise, but then they are bike fans. They and their neighbours are given VIP tickets to meets as they are in the noise footprint. Must be as a result of this court action.
Thinking of moving there just for the freebies.
Hope the circuit survives.
4 Dave Underhill // Mar 29, 2010 at 12:32 pm
I suppose there are 2 comments here really. The first is aimed directly at Jill Wilson. She is obviously fully familier with the rigours of motorsport is is nothing but another of those greedy spiteful women who are only any good at destroying things without any consideration for others. What a cow! But the judge must take some of the blame too, obviously not a motorsport fan.
With regard to the second issue, I agree with a previous comment. WHY oh WHY do people buy a property close to a race circuit and then complain? The simple answer is usually because they bought it at a cheaper price and then want to increase its value by getting the local amenity closed down. These are just very selfish people who have no thought for anyone but themselves. May they rot in hell. But again it is the judges who do not see this for the scam it is.
So the common denominator is the failure of the laws in this country and the judges and solicitors who uphold it. It is they who should be stopping these frivolous claims from selfish people who have no consideration for anyone but themselves. SO TO THOSE JUDGES – SHAME ON YOU.