An amendment to M-Sport's plans for a test track at its Dovenby Hall base will be decided by Allerdale council's head of planning. 

The rally firm lodged an amendment to its proposals for a £19 million research centre after nearby residents complained that the noise from the track would ruin their quality of life. 

Allerdale council originally approved the application in December but objectors took the decision to the High Court.

The judge said that a change must be made to the conditions and M-Sport lodged an amendment. 

The amendment stated that the track could not be used until an updated noise management plan has been submitted and approved, including:

  • Average or maximum noise levels which the track can generate 
  • Details of how the council will access a noise monitoring system at all times
  • Hours of operation, types of vehicles and activities at the track
  • A detailed complaints procedure.

But members of Allerdale's development panel agreed that Kevin Kerrigan, planning boss, would make the final decision after a second alteration to the condition by M-Sport. 

The proposed noise management plan said the noise could be measured by its average or its maximum. 

Councillors want M-Sport to change that so the company would have to have both measurements.

Councillor Adrian Davis-Johston said: "The original condition is mathematically perverse and technically incorrect."

He moved for refusal.

Mr Kerrigan adjourned the meeting and spoke to M-Sport's representatives. 

When the meeting resumed, Mr Kerrigan asked Coun Davis-Johnston if he would be prepared to change his motion if the wording of the condition was altered.

Coun Davis-Johnston agreed and put forward the motion.   

Eleven members voted in favour and one councillor abstained. 

M-Sport will now have to agree to the altered wording of the condition for approval to be granted. 

Mr Kerrigan said: "Should M-Sport not amend the application as specified, the application will be refused." 

Usually, applications for alterations to non-material amendments are delegated to planning officers. 

The authority's development panel was asked to consider the M-Sport alteration due to the high profile nature of the original planning application.