YOUNGSTERS and disabled groups will suffer if an outdoor adventure centre is forced to close, its owner has warned.

Action Park, based off the A127 in Wickford, has been issued with enforcement notices and told it must stop operating by May 13.

However, park users made a last-ditch plea for Basildon Council to change its decision by protesting outside its offices in St Martin’s Square on Thursday.

The site was developed without planning permission and nearby residents in Thundersley complained about noise from motor racing on the site.

But owner Philip McCaul insists noise issues have been addressed and believes Action Park should be allowed to remain open due to the large number of people using the site.

He said: “We must deal with about 40 schools and children come here from three years of age upwards.

“It is a community project and the council has not explained why we have to close, other than saying it is on the green belt.

“But it needs to be somewhere like that–situated between three major roads – because of the constant noise.

“We have solved the noise complaints because we will not use the race track when the wind is blowing towards the homes.”

Echo:

Basildon Council’s decision to force Action Park to close was supported on appeal by an independent planning inspector.

Mr McCaul said: “I feel the inspector had made up his mind before he came to the site and we didn’t get a fair crack of the whip.

“When the inspector visited, he watched Craig Draycott, who lost his arm and leg inamotorbike accident, racing around the track in a modified quad bike.

“Essex County Council use the site two to six times a week for disadvantaged children.

“If all these things don’t amount to special circumstances, then I don’t know what does.”

Action Park includes an army assault course, motocross tracks, archery, quad bikes, 4x4 driving, rally buggies, clay pigeon shooting and paintball. Stuntman Leonard Woodcock, 42, and his son, Dylan, 15, a British champion motocross rider, both use the park regularly.

Leonard, of Hadleigh, said: “I have a shop and a workshop there and if Action Park shuts, I will lose them.

“Dylan has a big career ahead of him and Action Park is a massive part of it.

“There is no other facility for people in this area – they will be taking it away from kids who will otherwise be out on the streets.”

Dylan said: “I’d have nowhere to ride at all. People come from everywhere and it would be a shame if it shuts down.”

Council: We cannot overturn decision to close

BASILDON Council insists it cannot reverse the decision made by the planning inspector.

An online petition asking the authority to save Action Park has been signed by 2,800 people.

But a council spokesman said: “Action Park was developed entirely without planning approval and in 2011 Basildon Council felt compelled to take enforcement action to protect the green belt.

"The operator appealed against the enforcement notices, but the planning inspector agreed with the council, saying the unlawful activities cause ‘significant harm to the character and appearance of the area, and to residential amenity in terms of noise and general disturbance’.

“Numerous written representations were submitted, mainly from residents of roads in Thundersley complaining about excessive noise coming from the site.

“The inspector was very clear: ‘The development appears to have occurred in an opportunistic and ad hoc manner, with little in the way of positive planning in the sense of considering the relationships of the site with the surrounding area, and consultation with interested parties and members of the local community.’

“At this stage, the council cannot vary or overturn the inspector’s decision. The operators have been ordered to cease activity by May 13 and ultimately reinstate the land to a condition suitable for agricultural use.”