West Oxfordshire Council has turned down a proposal by Advanced Driving Academy for a circuit where drivers of high-performance cars can test their skills. As part of the scheme the company was offering facilities to the BBC Top Gear programme makers. Presenter Jeremy Clarkson lives in nearby Chipping Norton.
The application had been fiercely opposed by residents of Enstone who feared that noise from motoring activities would disrupt their lives. However the planning committee has approved a scheme for a 10,000 sq ft studio on the airfield. Conditions include limiting filming to 20 days a year and not having audiences of more than 300 people, who must all leave the site by 7.30pm.
