A ROW has broken out between villagers and a motorcycle club over plans for a race track close to homes. Langford residents crammed into the church hall last week to protest against plans by Mid Bedfordshire MX Youth Project to build the track on four and

A ROW has broken out between villagers and a motorcycle club over plans for a race track close to homes.

Langford residents crammed into the church hall last week to protest against plans by Mid Bedfordshire MX Youth Project to build the track on four and a half acres along Cambridge Road on the outskirts of the village.

At the meeting chaired by parish council chairman Cllr Tony Spencer with project co-ordinator Ken Lynch and Cllr Sonia Sewell, who represents Langford and Henlow village on Mid Beds District Council, also on the platform, angry residents voiced their objections to the plans.

Councillors are now backing residents in an attempt to get the plans thrown out when MBDC's planning committee meet to discuss the project in March.

"Feelings are running very high," said Cllr Brian Marsden, chairman of the parish council's planning committee.

"People are very fired up about the whole project. The church rooms were full to standing room only which reflected the feeling in the village about this proposed track.

"The parish council reflects the views of the residents and we will be writing to Mid Beds District Council outlining our strong objections to the track.

"It is not everyone saying 'not in our back yard'. We feel it is the wrong place for a track. We feel sorry for the motorcycle group because they have put a lot of effort into trying to organise this track."

Cllr Sewell said: "I was amazed how many people came to the meeting on such a freezing night.

"This track would have a serious impact on their amenities as well as a serious impact on the village.

"I think Langford people are far from those who would say 'not in my back yard'. Their objections are more than just about noise.

"The fencing around the field and the track would be a blot on the landscape. People sitting in their gardens in the summer would be assaulted by the noise from motorbikes.

"The spot the club has chosen is not a good one. Hopefully they can find a new site that will not affect residents."

Mr Lynch said: "We answered all the questions as best we could and a lot of people were obviously against the project.

"We will now have to discuss this among the committee and see where we go from here. But we are not abandoning the project.

"We will go ahead with our planning application and in the end we might have to look for another site that is more acceptable."

Mid Bedfordshire MX Youth Project is currently seeking funding from Sport England and Bedfordshire County Council to cover the £117,000 cost of the track.