TV’s Guy Martin weighs in on forced Hooton Trials Park closure: ‘It would be a real shame to lose’

A South Yorkshire motorcycle trials park has been ordered to close following refusal of planning permission, four years after it was first submitted. 

Hooton Lodge Trials Park has been ordered cease commercial operation by Wednesday, April 24 by Rotherham Borough Council, but owner Charlie Schofield intends to fight the decision, telling MCN: “We’re not just going to roll over.” 

The venue originally presented paperwork back in July 2020. Having then, according to the owner, “heard almost nothing” in the interim, the venue went ahead with construction.  

A decision to deny planning permission was then reached on March 21, 2024 with one month then granted for activity to cease, and an additional two months given for obstacles to be dismantled. 

“The Council considers that the formation and use of the trial bike track areas combined with the importation of materials to form jumps and obstacles have an erosive effect of on the landscape within the Ancient Woodland (Bluebell Wood), and Local Wildlife Site (Thybergh Tip),” a Rotherham planning document read.

Combating the closure

Since the decision was made, an online change.org petition has amassed over 5200 signatures.

“The support has been unreal,” said Schofield. “I’ve had people from all over the country calling me to offer help. Guy Martin even turned up one weekend.

“The news is devastating, Hooton is more than just a place to ride bikes, it’s a community. We have people from four to 75 years of age coming here. I didn’t realise just how much the place meant to people,” he added. 

Backing the fightback, Guy Martin commented: “I love a challenge and I’ve surprised myself at how crap I am at trials, but I love to learn new things, jack of all trades, master of none and all that. 

“Hooton Lodge Park is great place for nobbers like me and for the real doers in the sport. Trials is all about how far you can go not how fast, so I’m getting stuck in. It would be a real shame to lose somewhere for folk to meet up for a ride and a natter.”

Outcry against the decision has been substantial. One local rider, Nathan Smith told MCN: “Hooton is a community. Losing that is more than losing a place to ride.  

“I think that’s what has upset people most,” Smith added. “It’s a place of support, people ride there with their kids, they go to socialise. There’s a regular group of us and we all help each other.” 

Hooton helps kids

Hooton Lodge recently funded a free Oset demo day for children, with over 120 attending.  “If you’re not from a biking family, it’s difficult to get into the sport,” said Schofield.

“Around 80% of the kids that came to try the ride had never been a motorbike before, which can only be a good thing for the sport and the industry as we introduce new people to the world of off-road.”

Next steps

No private objections were submitted against the construction of the park. A property boundary dispute was raised by Yorkshire Water, but Schofield claims all obstacles were removed after realising this mistake several years ago after the issue was raised. 

When asked for comment, Rotherham Council were unable to provide details of any noise complaints made in relation to motorcycles using the venue.

Schofield had failed to submit a noise survey as part of the initial application, but told MCN one will be provided soon.

Risks of illegal riding were also raised as an area of concern, but again Schofield was quick to dismiss these claims. 

“There are people who ride illegally, but they’re not our riders. The council are just tarring everyone with the same brush.

“Getting rid of this community would only lead to more anti-social riding because people would have nowhere else to go,” he said. “We give people a place to ride that’s safe and legal. It’s completely secluded and on private land.” 

Colin Brown, Director of Campaigns and Political Engagement for MAG echoed this sentiment, adding: “The issue of anti-social riding will not be solved if legitimate venues for off-road riding are not created.

“Maybe this case could be the opportunity for a discussion on how the needs of legitimate riders can be accommodated rather than more riders being tempted to scratch the itch in less acceptable ways.”  

Riders will be hoping for a for a last-minute change of heart, but with the council stating that “it is not possible to support a scheme of this nature,” the facility is at risk of closing for good.

You can access the petition here.