Noise nuisance farmer silenced in court

OLDHAM Council’s commitment to tackling noise nuisance has been given a boost.

Jack Lumb, of Whitfield Dairy Farm, Shaw, was successfully prosecuted for the racket caused during an unauthorised motorbike scrambling event in May last year. He appealed against the level of the fine but this has now been dismissed by Manchester Crown Court.

Councillor Jean Stretton, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: “This has been a long-running and complex case but I am satisfied that its conclusion is one that benefits the residents who had to put up with this noise nuisance and also sends a clear signal that Oldham Council is committed to acting on complaints it receives.”

Residents had complained about the noise from intermittent unorganised riding of trials and motocross motorcycles at weekends at the farm since October, 2009.

The council had teamed up with police and Rochdale Council in an attempt to informally resolve the situation.

But on Sunday, May 2, last year an organised motorcycle scramble took place involving 102 riders lasting all day on a “roped off” temporary course that caused parts of Oldham Way to be diverted without permission.

At a trial at Oldham Magistrates’ Court in March 16, Lumb was convicted, fined £750 and ordered to pay costs of £636 and a £15 victim’s surcharge.

After his appeal against the level of the fine was dismissed, costs against him were increased by a further £400.