I dont think the coal board that has much of a problem with off roaders as the deserts been an unofficial off road site for at least 15 years, its those poncy golfers that keep complaining!!
Complete bollocks.
British Coal are the Landowners and as such have a legal obligation to keep anyone on their land safe. To do this they must either make it a 'proper' off-road park, with the attendant marshalls, safety stuff etc ... or tell everyone it's not allowed. Easiest is to say NO.
It's NEVER been an established off road site ... It has been used illegally for years, but, and the pdf also says this, since there was a fatality and a number of very serious injuries was when they started to clamp down.
TBH, why shouldn't the golfers complain? They pay a fortune for the right not to have ****wits ride and drive over some areas of the golf course, which has happened often.
If we want off-road sites we must use them sensibly, not encroach on other peoples land and show some respect to others. When we act like ****s or allow others to act like ****s we all get tarred with the same brush.
Having said that ... I've used it many times for Trials bike practice and for the Landrover. The real trouble is the nutters who come up with 'crossers or unroadworthy motors and fly about ... many of which are thrown together piles of ****e that some kid is barely in control of, with ten of his mates hanging off the sides and back of!
In my experience if you're acting responsibly the police might or might not issue a notice. They won't usually take your vehicle on a first offence unless you are being an absolute ****. I haven't ever had a notice, but then I go slowly .. and I wear the right gear for the bike and with a fully road legal vehicle.
I wouldn't recommend it as an off-road play area to anyone at all thobut, the consequences could be drastic ...