Off-road riders who faced losing their British championship venue have been given new hope.

Bradford Council issued a closure order on land at Addingham Moorside, claiming activities on the plot had exceeded the 14 days permitted in a year.

Yeadon-Guiseley Motor Club would have been forced off the site, where they had planned to hold a round of the Auto Cycle Union British trial championships, on Sunday, August 5.

But club members believe planning rules do allow them to continue to use the land, and are backed in their battle by chartered surveyor Robert Halstead.

He said planners could give special permission beyond the statutory 14 days. "Planning law does allow them to seek planning permission for as many days as they want - they want five days this year and we are making an application along those lines," he said.

"These are organised, managed events run by a responsible club which isn't detrimental to the area.

"The council's beef is that the land has been used without proper controls. There is a clear difference between that type of use and the organised and controlled use by the Yeadon club."

The club is supported by landowner Alan Fothergill, of Doublerstone Farm, Silsden, who says the land had been used by trial riders for about 30 years.

"The riders are doing nobody any harm and they don't make a nuisance," said Mr Fothergill.

A Bradford Council spokesman said the planning rules did allow for planning permission to be sought for extra events and an application would be considered.

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