THE future of a controversial racing track will be decided tonight.

Councillors said they were inclined to give conditional planning permission for Yorkshire Dales Autograss Club to continue racing on fields on the outskirts of Kiplin, near Richmond, in August.

Tonight, councillors from Richmondshire District Council will decide whether to grant full planning permission or to reject the application.

Until now, the club has been able to race up to 14 times a year without planning permission, but stricter rules on land use led the council to suggest a formal application be made.

Since then, more than 40 people have written to Richmondshire Council objecting to the track, saying noise and dust on race days was a problem and that the entrance had poor visibility.

If permission is granted the club will have to operate under strict conditions.

These include holding no racing before 11am or after 6pm, racing taking place on a maximum of 13 weekends a year, water being kept on site to dampen the track and events not being scheduled for consecutive weekends.

Planning officer Peter Featherstone said in a report that councillors should consider a number of conflicting issues before making a decision.

He said: "On the one hand there is the impact caused by the use on the amenities enjoyed by local residents and visitors to Kiplin Hall.

"On the other there is the enjoyment of participants and spectators in this - albeit potentially noisy and intrusive - recreational pursuit."

The meeting will be held at Swale House, Richmond, at 6.30pm.