THE owner of a North Yorkshire go-kart track has appealed for noise-affected neighbouring village residents to talk to him about their concerns.

A strongly-worded motion aimed at cutting back on noise pollution from the Tockwith Multi Drive Centre, at Tockwith Airfield, was tonight being debated by Harrogate Borough Councillors,

It stated: "This council undertakes to use all powers at its disposal to control noise levels on Tockwith Airfield generated through go-karts and high performance cars which is damaging the quality of life for residents."

But Simon Moore, owner of the track, said he is happy to work with village residents on the issue.

He said he is due to take part in a meeting involving Councillor Julian Sturdy, who forwarded the motion, the council's cabinet member for environment, and an environmental health officer.

Mr Moore said: "The villagers get het up about things, but if only they would come to us we could sort these problems out.

"Working with residents is something we want to do. We are running a business, a working concern, there has got to be a happy medium, and we want to work with residents to try and find it."

Coun Sturdy said he had forwarded the motion as he was determined to make progress on the issue.

He said the level to which Tockwith residents were affected depended on the part of the village they live. Coun Sturdy said: "In some parts of the village it is not really a problem, in others it can be horrendous.

"I am glad the meeting has been arranged so we can see if we can move forward. It is not a question of wanting him to close down his business, we hope he can work with the residents so everyone can live in harmony."

Tockwith residents Joanne and John Stone, of The Green, backed the noise control efforts.

Mr Stone said: "We have been fighting this for 13 years. It can be really dreadful at times, we hope something can be done."

But Heather Holmes, who lives a short distance away in The Green, said: "It doesn't bother me. You can hear them sometimes, but it isn't that bad."

Updated: 08:29 Wednesday, July 16, 2003