THE owners of a Chester village farm quad bike facility are fighting to allow the farm to be used for quad bike and motocross (MX) activities, amid noise complaints from nearby residents.

Tile Farm is home to Tile Farm Off Road, on Wicker Lane, Guilden Sutton.

For several years, the facility has provided quad bike tuition and track days along with, more recently, motocross tuition, on its 250-acre site which features a dedicated off-road track, with sessions taking place from Mondays to Saturdays.

Such has been the demand for motocross tuition that, according to its website, spaces are fully booked for the MX Tuition classes until spring 2022.

Katherine Arden, on behalf of the Arden family which own the farmland, has now applied to Cheshire West and Chester Council for a Certificate of Lawfulness for the mixed use of land at Tile Farm for quads and off-road bikes and agricultural activities.

It comes following complaints by nearby residents on the grounds the quads and off-road bikes have been noisy for many hours throughout the week.

A planning statement said there had been previous complaints about the site, but the council had concluded, following an investigation, the quad and off-road bike activity had been established for over 10 years and no further action would be taken.

The applicants are seeking to establish a Certificate of Lawfulness for the site by saying off-road activities have been taking place at the site since 2002. For the first three years, the site was used by a company called Bog Busters, while the quad trekking sessions began in 2009.

The statement adds the popularity of the site increased over the years and a separate website was created for Tile Farm Off Road.

The land has been used for trails and off-road activities and it is planned for that use to be continued.

The applicants have supplied evidence to the council which they say show the site has been used for at least 10 years in off-road activities.

But neighbouring residents have submitted objections on the plan, citing noise levels and the increased motocross gatherings.

A Guilden Sutton resident said: "I am not certain noise can be taken into account as an objection to the above application. However, if it can, then I would like to register an objection on that basis as the level of noise from scrambling/quad bikes from such activities is high and a source of annoyance on certain afternoons throughout the week, when it seems organised meetings and events take place.

"Two to three hours (sometimes more) of incessant motor/quad bike engine noise is irritating and can be heard, even with all doors and windows closed.

"The noise travels quite a distance from Wicker Lane across Guilden Sutton village and even as far as the local infant school and beyond. At times it can be akin to living by the Oulton Park Racing circuit!"

Another Guilden Sutton resident added: "In my opinion, this quad bike activity is wholly inappropriate for a quiet rural village and should at the minimum be time restricted and confined to the Tile Farm Race Track facility only.

"Permitting any motor sport activity in and around the village sets a dangerous precedent and will inevitably result in activity creep over coming years much to detriment of the village and residents."

However, not all comments on the application object to it.

One Guilden Sutton resident wrote: "I support the application although I live quite local to Tile Farm and occasionally I can hear the motorcycles, but I do not find it offensive and after all it's just a cross-section of the public including many youngsters enjoying their hobby.

"The people using this facility at Tile Farm are not doing any harm, and even when walking down the public footpaths past Tile Farm with my dog they are courteous and polite when passing me in their vehicles."

The closing date for comments by neighbours on the application is November 30.