Exclusive:Bike park users fear rise in antisocial behaviour if planning refused again

A British international biking champion, a social media influencer with more than half a million followers, a councillor, a mental health charity, and riders aged from six to their seventies all attended an open day to show their support for a trials bike park dubbed an “absolutely fantastic” space for the community.

Hooton Lodge Farm had its retrospective planning application for the motorbike trials track refused a second time by Rotherham Council earlier this year – despite 7,000+ supportive signatures and letters of support.

While owners Charlie and Charlotte Schofield await the outcome of their resubmission for a third time, the couple held an open day to showcase the space at the farm in Hooton Roberts – and the diverse range of people who use it.

Guests who pledged their support ranged from British biking champ Donna Fox – who said if the site had to close it would be a “loss to the community” and “the next generation” - to social media personality Jonathan Wormley, known online as Original Jonny Boy, who feared it could potentially “ruin the lives” of young kids who visit by taking away the legal route for their hobby.

One of Britain’s most accomplished trials riders with a two-decade career in national and international competitions, Donna Fox told the Advertiser: “I've been coming here since it opened (in 2018) and it's a great place for people of all ages to enjoy - from first-timers to people who have been riding for years, it's a community sport.

“Realistically it's the next generation that will be missing out on this fabulous environment (if it had to go.)

“Whenever you come here there's always someone to talk to, young or old - it's like a family.

“It's absolutely fantastic and I really think it would be a loss to the community.”

Owner of Willow Farm Fisheries in Wombwell Jonathan Wormley is also a social media influencer, known online as Original Jonny Boy.

The online personality – who has 200,000 followers on Instagram and 324,000 on Tik Tok alone - said at the open day: “Hundreds of kids come here on a weekend with their parents.

“It’s a similar situation to the young kids who come to our fishing lake in Barnsley to enjoy their hobby.

“If they should lose this place, these kids are going to find something else to do. They could be back on the streets and that would be a real loss – it could ruin their lives.

“This place keeps them safe and it gives them something to fixate and focus on.

“It gives them something to look forward to at the weekend – not just mingling with people on the streets who they shouldn't be.

“Kids need something healthy and social to channel their energies into.”

In agreement was Independent Cllr Jodie Ryalls who has previously pledged her support to the farm.

She said: “I wanted to come out and support Hooton Lodge because it belongs to everybody.

“It's a place where everyone can come locally as well as from further afield up and down the country.

“I visit here with my kids and I can't say one wrong word about the place - I don't understand what the council's aim is with all of this.

“Charlie and Charlotte do a lot for the community and fundraise for smaller charities that often don't get as much attention as well as bigger ones like Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

“This trials park is a safe space for people of all ages to come to – these are not illegal bikes on the streets, it's a community of people enjoying a sport.

“In the communities I live in and serve as a councillor (East Herringthorpe, Dalton and Thyrbergh) our families know they can come here to events and the costs will be kept as affordable as possible.

“I really think the trials bike park helps prevent antisocial behaviour – if kids have nowhere like this to go they will end up on the streets.

“It also helps people with their mental health – I just think it's absolutely amazing.”

Andy Dawber, Swinton Andy's Man Club: “This place is great – it's a way of getting our members together in a safe place where they can enjoy the biking if they wish or simply have a brew and a chat and talk about whatever they want and need to.

“We come here for many events, not just the trial bike park, and we often have a stall or a gazebo at concerts or other activities, too.

“It means guys can grab a coffee and a chat with us here – anything to get men talking.

“It's a simple process but the impact is so great and what's why we love coming here so much.”

Perhaps one of the park's more senior visitors is Steve Taylor, aged 76.

He said: “I used to ride road bikes when I was younger. I've been coming here since 2018 and it has been really good for me.

“My younger brother had just died and I came here and made a complete new group of friends so it's not about riding bikes.

“When you're retired, there's only so much daytime TV you can sit around the house watching!

“We all use the local bike shops here, too, and stop off for fuel and food when we come to Hooton Lodge so we're putting money back into the local community and businesses.”

“And it's all ages here – young kids love it and you see how it gives the young ones a lot of confidence.”

His friend and fellow rider, 70-year-old John Tidmarsh, agreed: “If any of the younger children come here and need support we will take them around - it’s great to see a little one who goes up in the trials world through this place.

“I was one of the first ones (to ride) here and I don’t know what I would do without this place.”

Rotherham Council’s executive director for regeneration and environment, Andrew Bramidge, said: “The council is reviewing a retrospective planning application submitted by Hooton Lodge Farm.

“While we cannot go into details about this specific case, we will remain in contact with the owners to inform them of the outcome.

“It is our responsibility to consider all relevant information as part of our duties and to ensure all decisions are made fairly, objectively, and based on evidence available.

“We require full details when an application is submitted and where necessary will contact applicants for further information in order to reach a decision.

“We recognise the interest in this matter from all parties and will continue to follow the appropriate procedures as the assessment of the application progresses.”