PLANS to open a controversial speedway training track near Barnard Castle have been blocked by councillors.

The proposal to create the country's first training centre for speedway riders, at Barford Raceway, a former Army camp used as a stock car track, was rejected by Teesdale District Council's development control committee.

Last night, management at Positive Promotions, the motorsports promotion company which submitted the application, said it would appeal against the decision.

It also plans to hold a public meeting to gain support for the scheme, and to convince local people that the training centre could give a big boost to the Teesdale economy.

Emma Marshall, of Positive Promotions, said: "We are not overly shocked at this decision, because we have had nothing but negative responses since we first made our application.

"People seem to think it is going to be noisy, but it won't. People have not listened to our side of the story. But we will fight for this and appeal against the council's decision."

The company said the centre and race track could bring hundreds of visitors to Teesdale every year, and boost the local economy by more than £200,000.

At a meeting of the development control committee, members heard that complaints had been received from parish council's around the site.

Stainton and Streatlam Parish Council, Cleatlam Parish Council, Winston Parish Council, and Whorlton Parish Council, all complained that the track would create too much noise.

The committee also rejected an application to relax the limit of 20 stock car race meetings a year at the site, on the grounds that an increase would cause too much noise and nuisance