THE owner of a race track near York has vowed to fight back as he faces legal action following noise complaints from nearby residents.

Simon Moore, the father of a North Yorkshire motor racing champion, has until tomorrow to appeal against an enforcement notice, or comply within three months. He has pledged to appeal.

Harrogate Borough Council said it had carried out an investigation into a number of activities taking place at the former Marston Moor Airfield at Tockwith, after receiving objections from local neighbours.

The council says a number of activities have been taking place at the track over the past ten years “without the benefit of planning permission” and are “causing harm to local amenity”.

These orders relate to the driving, racing and testing of motor vehicles, the storage of motor vehicle tyres, the parking of buses and unroadworthy vehicles and the storage of barriers.

A spokesman said: “The operators of the site have claimed to have been undertaking a range of activities there since the 1970s.”

But track owner, Mr Moore said: “We have been here 41 years and we are appealing it. We got planning permission in 1969 and it covers what we are doing at the moment. Nothing has really changed over the years.”

Mr Moore’s daughter Sarah, 17, is a champion kart racer, having won the Junior Ginetta championship in 2009, and her brothers are also involved in motor racing and are managed by their father, himself a former race driver.

Mr Moore said: “This won’t affect the business – it’s just the legal fight.”

The Tockwith Residents Association, Bilton with Bickerton Parish Council and Tockwith with Wilstrop Parish Council have claimed the noise pollution is affecting the lives of residents.