A plan for a go-kart centre on “under utilised” land next to the Odeon cinema in Douglasfield has been has been submitted to the city council.
If given the all clear, the development will boast an indoor racetrack and outdoor rooftop track as well as spectator areas, cafe, toilets and offices.
The site is currently used as a two-level car park. But in applicant Karting Ecosse’s supporting statement, submitted by the agent Peter Inglis Architects, the design would see the car park converted into the centre.
“The go-karts would be used both inside the building, which would be walled-in using insulated cladding to match the other buildings on site, and on the roof,” it says.
“The karts which will be used on the rooftop track will be the new generation, electric-powered karts and these are significantly quieter than the original petrol-driven karts.”
Karting Ecosse claims the car park is not well used and it is keen to redevelop the area in a bid to “enhance” the local leisure industry. But with the potential of numerous go-kart engines’ roaring into action concern has been raised over the noise impact.
The nearest homes are around 90 metres away at Ballindean Place but the applicant says a recent noise impact assessment found that a standard industrial unit could provide a suitable environment to prevent acoustic disturbance at this distance. It adds that the structure has the added benefit of a mass concrete roof to suppress noise even further.
“The internal layout of the centre shows that the ancillary accommodation of offices, cafe and lounge are located between the kart track and the housing to the east thus providing further insulation,” the statement continues.
“Therefore, noise emanating from this facility will not result in any loss of amenity to the existing houses.”
If given the go-ahead the go-kart centre is expected to create around 40 jobs but would also reduce the number of car park spaces, largely used by cinemagoers.
Karting Ecosse says the location is the most appropriate to host a go-kart centre.
“The applicant looked at other existing leisure parks within the city, including the Stack Leisure Park, however, there was nothing suitable, e.g. the former cinema complex in The Stack has numerous level changes as well as an intrusive structure.”
The council is scheduled to make a decision on the development on February 27.