Government has confirmed the plans but says use of the park as a scrambling track for young children would be limited.BEST chairman Stuart Hayward said that the public expects any such proposal for the change of use of a national park would go through proper planning procedures.“The presence of a Government bulldozer/backhoe at the site has prompted several calls to BEST from the public and reminded us that increasingly, developers have resorted to proceeding with unpermitted development and only then seeking appropriate permission.“We thought it important to alert members of the public before any such development was begun. The public deserves and should insist on an open and transparent process before any such conversion takes place.”When contacted, the Ministry of Public Works confirmed the plans but did not address Mr Hayward’s concern that the project should go through the planning process.And Jonathan Trott, president of the Bermuda Motocross Association, said he had heard absolutely nothing about any such project.Government had announced that it intended to erect a dog park in Astwood Park North. Designs for that project have reportedly been completed and tenders sent out.In a statement issued yesterday, BEST expressed concern that the motocross project would not only lead to loud noises next door to a densely populated residential area, but air pollution, erosion and traffic issues.Mr Hayward explained that Government purchased Astwood Park in 1980 to be used as a national park after research had shown Warwick was densely populated and needed open spaces.“It just doesn’t make good sense to put a high-noise and environmentally damaging activity adjacent to a dense residential area. Communities need a rest from noise and bother, particularly evenings and weekends,” Mr Hayward said.“It doesn’t make good sense to open up a new facility for a noisy and potentially dangerous motorised bikes when one already exists at Southside in a more suitably isolated area.“It doesn’t make good sense to chip away at public open space and parkland for special interest uses to the detriment of the broader public interest.”Even if the bikes are small, Mr Hayward said the negative impact on the environment and the community could be significant.“No matter what the size or power of the bikes, they will be noisy. As they are off-road bikes, they will not be bound by existing noise restrictions,” Mr Hayward said.“In addition to the noise pollution inherent in motorbike scrambling activity, there is the concentrated exhaust fumes that will affect residents downwind from the site.“There is also the inevitable leakage of gasoline, oil and other motor fluids.”Mr Hayward also said the project could cause traffic concerns, noting: “There will need to be fencing to prevent the dual risks of spectators or bystanders entering the cycle track, and of runaway or out-of-control bikes ploughing into pedestrians or off track traffic.“Also, all existing roadways for access to the site are either quite narrow or a main thoroughfare, all with limited parking.”The Government’s response noted that the planned facility is for mini scramblers and not the larger motocross cycles. A spokesperson from the Public Works Ministry also stressed that the area residents had been canvassed and expressed no objections to the area being used as a track.“The Ministry of Public Works is working with the youth in the area to offer a positive outlet,” the spokesperson said.He added that the programme will be on a one year trial run, operate from 4-6pm during weekdays only and should the residents express any concern “the organisers have agreed to stop the programme at any point during the evening.”Furthermore, he said, the track “takes up very little space in the park.