Dispute over noise at Nigel Mansell's race track ends
A Devon council has dropped its legal challenge over noise from a kart track owned by former World F1 Champion Nigel Mansell.
The Dunkeswell karting circuit was taken over by Mr Mansell in 2006.
A noise abatement order was later issued by East Devon District Council (EDDC) after a rise in complaints.
That was quashed in 2008 by a judge at Honiton Magistrates' Court and the council has now dropped its challenge. Mr Mansell said he was "relieved".
The legal challenge was due to start at Exeter Crown Court on Monday.
The council said a legal agreement, for practise and testing on two Saturdays a month and on nine Sundays, with a guaranteed minimum of two quiet weekends during the first half of each month, was "very close" to what the council had originally demanded.
Councillor Paul Diviani, chairman of EDDC's development management committee, said: "The council has taken the measured decision that this arrangement would be better in the long term when balanced against the possible risk of a worse outcome had the matter been ruled upon by the court."
Mr Mansell said: "I am relieved that East Devon District Council has finally seen sense and that this very expensive and wholly unnecessary legal battle has now ended.
"I am deeply disappointed however that, despite repeated offers by us, East Devon District Council was unable to work with Mansell Raceway Ltd to find solutions much, much earlier."