The Black Mountain Cycle Centre in the Brecon Beacons, Wales, is reaching out to mountain bikers to sign its petition in support of granting retrospective planning permission.
The petition has a target of 2000 and has already hit the half-way point. Once the goal has been reached, The Black Mountain Cycle Centre will deliver the signature list in person to Brecon Beacons National Park Planning Agency.
What was first started out as a few tracks built by a group of friends, it has since developed in to one of the country’s leading mountain bike hotspots, with hundreds of people from around the world taking to the trails each week.
The centre has now been forced to apply for retrospective planning permission following a huge increase in demand and popularity, which has since boosted not just the bike centre, but surrounding businesses also.
“Existing woodland has been transformed to provide enjoyment to thousands of mountain bike enthusiasts as well as stimulating the local economy with local pubs, shops and B&B’s profiting from the extra people in the area. The bike centre also creates jobs within a community that is finding it increasingly difficult to make a living from agriculture in the local area.”
If The Black Mountain Cycle Centre fails to attain planning permission then there is a serious possibility that it may close down.
Support has been growing on the 38 Degrees petition page.
One supporter said: “(It’s) a great place to ride in a lovely part of the UK. We should be investing in outdoor sports to keep people fit instead of threatening them.”
Another: “BMCC is a truly awesome unique place ran but great laid back dudes. It’s on of the few truly progressive riding spots in the UK and brings much needed stimulation to the local economy.”
You can read the petition in full below by clicking the link. All that’s needed to sign is your name, an email account and your postcode.
Support the Retrospective Planning Application for the Black Mountains Cycle Centre
The centre’s website is here: blackmountainscyclecentre.com
Comments (5)
Comments Closed
2291 signatures so far – mine included
So what concerns did the planning authority raise regarding the site and it’s current type / level of use?
Y’know, in the interests of balanced reporting, considering the relevant issues, not just signing anything blindly that’s “bike” etc etc 😉
If it’s covered by the Brecon Beacons planning authority their contact details can be found here:
http://www.beacons-npa.gov.uk/planning/contact-planning-2/
The petition only counts as a single representation in the planning system, far better to get representations to the actual application. I’ve searched the planning system and the application hasn’t yet been made?????
Seems to be an example of lets do what we want and then whinge when required to comply with the same rules as any other business in the Park.