YEARS of excessive noise from a Wantage motocross track looks set to come to an end, council bosses said.

Residents were told to keep logs of the noise from the site next to Bradfield Farm Sewage Works on Cow Lane, Grove, near Wantage.

Under planning laws, the track can be used for up to 14 days a year, but Vale of White Horse District Council said it was used more than that.

Officers have now handed an enforcement notice to landowner Alan Cottrell to remove the track’s ramps and banked corners.

Mr Cottrell has been told he needs new planning permission for use over 14 days.

He said the track was in a secluded area and has appealed against the enforcement notice.

Neighbour Michael Hutchings, 73, of Church Street, West Hanney, said: “On a nice summer’s evening when someone wants some peace and quiet the last thing you want is noisy motorbikes.

“An unsilenced motorbike with a southerly wind can sound as if it is next door.

“If they get planning permission they could create hell there.”

Terry Cox, district councillor for the Hanneys, said: “It has been a problem over the last three years.

“I get a lot of complaints, particularly at weekends when people are wanting to use their gardens.”

He estimated the track was used about 30 times a year.

Council spokesman Gavin Walton said: “Mr Cottrell was advised in October 2007 that this unauthorised use should cease or a retrospective planning application should be submitted.

“To date, no planning application has been submitted and it is clear from complaints received from local residents that the unauthorised use is continuing.”

A planning inspector will consider Mr Cottrell’s appeal in the next few weeks.

Mr Cottrell, of Churchward Close, said the track was in a secluded area.

He said: “Nobody can see it or hear it.

“A lot of little kids use it and they need somewhere to go.”