Concerns raised over the use of farmland on the Black Isle for a motocross track as residents' complaints first aired last year resurface
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Residents are demanding that an unauthorised makeshift dirt bike track on the Black Isle is closed down.
The noise from a motocross track operating on farmland at Ord Hill Mains Farm, near to Fortrose, on Saturday and Sundays, is said to disturb neighbours from five miles around the area.
Neighbours are demanding the council must do more to support residents.
Last year, residents raised concerns about the motocross track as it lies within a residential area and no planning consents have been sought for the venture.
It is understood the motocross track is being promoted and operated by Christopher Barclay, on land owned by his mother, Councillor Jennifer Barclay.
Closest to the track, resident Morag MacNamara said: "The bike problem has started up again, as we thought it would. The bikes were stopped over the winter as the area was let for wintered sheep."
She said: "Last weekend wasn't too bad, with a few adult bikes on Saturday for about five hours,and just one child who was there with a parent on Sunday and only stayed for around half an hour.
"We're hoping that the council staff dealing with it might have finally got him to see sense."
One resident who did not want to be named, for fear of reprisals, said: "People are being pushed to their wits' end. The noise starts on a Saturday morning until tea time, and it is the same again on a Sunday.
"People who rent homes in the area are planning to move away because every single weekend is being spoiled.
"We have reported this to everyone we can, because so many rules are being broken. Wildlife is being disturbed. There has been no formal discussions between the operator and local neighbours and importantly there has been no planning application."
Another said: "We live in fear, not only of the motocross going ahead, but also of what will happen if we complain.
"We get a feeling that because this land is owned by a local councillor that it is being brushed under the carpet. The operator told me that he would get planning permission, and if he didn't he would be doing the motocross track without permission."
They added: "About 20-30 grown men come every Saturday and Sunday and spend the day racing around on motorbikes. They are like children. I have been told the operator takes £20 from each person who wants to be on the track.
"It is not fair that it is happening, not on residents, and not on the wildlife that is being disturbed."
Contacted for comment, Councillor Gordon Adam, Black Isle ward, said: "It is very worrying indeed, people who live nearby to the farm deserve peace and quiet.
"I was first made aware of complaints about Ord Hill Mains Farm on August 2, 2020 and at the time I raised my concerns with the planning and environmental health departments.
"I have previously spoken to environmental health to raise concerns and they have taken on board the community's concerns."
A Highland Council spokeswoman said: “The council has received complaints from local residents regarding motocross on farmland at Ordhill. "Both the planning authority and environmental health have contacted the operator and if the unauthorised activity continues, noise monitoring will be carried out and formal action will be taken”.
The spokeswoman confirmed that "no planning application has been submitted for the use of the land for this purpose".
Both Cllr Barclay and Christopher have been invited to comment on concerns that have been raised – but at the time of going to press had declined to do so.
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