Plans proposed to reduce environmental impact of historic Scott Trial

Richmond Motor Club is set to be given temporary planning permission allowing the motorcycle trial to be held this year while work takes place to draw up plans to mitigate potential damage caused by the event.

The Scott Trial sees around 200 riders tackle a challenging course of around 130km through Swaledale and Arkengarthdale.

The event, which will celebrate its centenary this year, attracts some of the best trials bike riders in the world.

Richmond Motor Club has handed out more than £230,000 to local charities and good causes since taking over the running of the trial in 1991.

The majority of the route is within the Yorkshire Dales National Park and passes through protected habitats, three areas of ancient semi-natural woodland and close to numerous archaeological features and scheduled monuments.

The motor club had initially sought either another five-year extension to its planning permission or consent for the event to continue permanently.

However, following discussions with officers from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, the application has been amended to provide temporary consent while work takes place on a full planning application aimed at securing the trial’s long-term future.

A report to members of the authority’s planning committee says a recent assessment identified 324 heritage assets within 100 metres of the route, including remains associated with historic lead mining, quarrying and prehistoric and Romano-British settlements.

Historic England has called for “micro-rerouting” wherever possible to avoid sensitive features including structural remains, earthworks and unstable spoil heaps.

Officers say a long-term conservation management plan should accompany any future application for permanent permission.

Concerns have also been raised about the route passing through Birk Park Wood, Arkle Beck Wood and Cuckoo Hill Wood.

Potential damage identified includes soil compaction and rutting, damage to exposed roots and low branches, collisions with trees and the impact of spectators and marshals.

Measures proposed include inspections before and after the event, marking the route every 20 to 30 metres to keep riders away from tree stems and using signs to keep spectators out of ancient woodland.

Officers say a longer-term woodland strategy should form part of any future application.

The authority also wants improved ecological monitoring, with previous measures including fencing sensitive habitats, briefing riders, marshalling and changing routes in subsequent years where damage occurs to allow habitats to recover.

Planning officer Ian Nesbit said in the report: “The applicant (through the agent for the application) has committed to actively engaging with officers of the authority to understand and to agree the various plans, surveys and assessments required for the validation of a new ‘full’ planning application, that if approved, would provide a permanent permission for the trial and look to achieve better, long-term ecological, archaeological and arboricultural outcomes than the current ‘five-year extension’ approach.”

Planning officers have recommended that temporary permission is granted for this year’s event while further work takes place on long-term mitigation measures.

The authority’s planning committee will meet on Tuesday to discuss the issue.