GAZETTE & HERALD: CASTLE Combe Circuit is planning to set up a rally school despite reservations from villagers.

The circuit has submitted plans to turn fields adjacent to the main track into the school, which is situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Yatton Keynell Parish Council has objected to the plans because it said it had insufficient information about the proposals.

Chairman Chris Dash said the plans did not have enough information on the size and scale of the school.

He said: "We are holding our fire until we have more information. It is something we have got to take seriously.

"We are not an anti-circuit parish council but they left us with no option than to put the blocks on it."

The parish council wants to know how big the school will be, how many vehicles it will have, how many days it will be open and the level of controls.

It has written to North Wiltshire District Council objecting to the plans on the grounds that it could cause noise problems and increase the flow of traffic through the village.

The letter said: "It is time that the planning authorities took their considerations more seriously and turned down this and other applications that affect the rural environment of a village in an area of outstanding natural beauty."

The plans will go before the district council's development control committee on Wednesday.

Officers, however, are recommending the scheme because it is considered to have a minimal impact on the rural character of the area.

Mr Dash said the council would be eagerly listening to the debate at the meeting.

Three local residents have objected on the grounds of further development in the AONB, the proximity of the bridleway to the proposed site, the visibility from Yatton Keynell, extra traffic, noise pollution and threat of creeping development at the circuit.