Norton Canes go-kart track plans set to be refused over greenbelt concerns

Roy Johnson, who owns Fishley Park in Pelsall, wants to build the £3 million scheme – featuring an outdoor 1,200 metre track, a hospitality block and a restaurant – on land north of Wyrley Common and south of the A5 Watling Street in Norton Canes.

The application was submitted in July last year but nothing has happened since, with Cannock Chase District Council allegedly believed to be waiting on some details from Mr Johnson before it is put before the authority’s planning committee to make a decision.

However the Express & Star now understands the council has concerns over the plans and officers will recommend they are thrown out.

Planning chiefs have grave reservations over the fact the proposed site is within green belt land and does not fall under Cannock Chase’s local plan.

A council source said: “The application is still live but planning officers are having trouble with it because it is in green belt and it does not fit in with the local plan which the council has because of its own location in green belt.

“The council has not made a decision yet and it cannot be taken to committee yet because the applicant has not given all the information. But because of the green belt officers recommendation will be to refuse it.”

Architect Ron Oliver, commenting on Mr Johnson’s behalf, said: “We always expected this but we are very, very disappointed with the planners.

“We have information we have given to the council but they are saying they have not seen it, which is what has disappointed us.

He added: “We always knew green belt would be the issue but we have got the full support of the parish council and quite a lot of support from residents. It will hopefully go to committee in July or August and we are just getting everything together ready for that.”

Speaking last year Dudley-born Mr Johnson said the complex would bring millions of pounds into Cannock Chase’s economy, with a single event bringing in up to £200,000 over just one weekend. It will be a premier facility, aiming to be one of the best,” he said. “If the local council wanted to put a firework display on or a fete, we can accommodate that.”

“That is not the game we are in. It is a prestige thing for Cannock Chase. The area has built up dramatically over the years and this will complement Cannock Chase.”

Mr Johnson added the complex would take a couple of years to build as he pledged a hands on approach to the scheme saying he will be ‘getting on a digger like the old days’.

His son, Roy Junior, is a keen go-karter and previously raced against the likes of F1 stars Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.

Cannock Chase used to have a go-kart track around 15 years ago at Chasewater Country Park. but this was forced to close after the construction of the M6 toll.