Plans to allow motocross events to be held at any time of the year, near the Boomtown site, have been withdrawn. 

The proposal was to allow events to be held outside the current timeframe of August 1 to October 15.

On Monday August 14, the application for Matterley Bowl Motocross, Petersfield Road, was withdrawn.

The scheme would have enabled organisers to hold events throughout the year, without the need to apply for temporary permission for events outside the agreed timeframe. 

Objectors said that removing the restriction would impact the skylarks that nest on the ground. A total of 21 objectors and one supporter submitted comments to the South Downs National Park Authority.

READ MORE: Matterley Bowl motocross objections to hold events throughout the year

The original plan to hold motocross at the Matterley Bowl, submitted in 2008, was refused by Winchester City Council but overturned on appeal in 2010.

The site is well-liked by motocross fans and has staged the British Motocross Grand Prix and Motocross of Nations, dubbed the 'Olympics of MX'.

Matterley Bowl is due to host round 19 of the 2023 FIM MXGP World Championship over the weekend of September 23 and 24. This fits into the original timeframe.

Estate landowner Peveril Bruce said: “It was withdrawn because the event this year is within the agreed period, so there is no need to extend it. We're trying to regularise it to give ourselves the flexibility to hold the event at different times of the year.

“The organisers have to fit a number of races across a number of countries. It suits them to have the ability to move them around. Previously we have held earlier in the year, so we thought getting the flexibility would remove the bureaucracy.

“I'm sure we will be re-applying at some stage.”