The UK's premier electric off-road riding centre set to open in Powys
A new electric motocross experience centre has been approved in Powys, bringing bikes, jobs, and a boost for tourism.
After years of delays, appeals, and council pushbacks, plans for a new motocross experience centre in Powys have finally been given the green light.
The Welsh Government-appointed Planning Inspector has approved the scheme at Rhydblawd Farm, near Builth Wells, following a drawn-out battle between developer Nightfly Limited, led by Phil Wilding, and Powys County Council.
The £1.5 million project includes a purpose-built motocross centre, seven holiday log cabins, and upgraded site infrastructure. It’s expected to create up to 13 jobs while pulling more visitors into the region – a win for both the local economy and Wales’ growing outdoor tourism market.
Motocross has been part of Rhydblawd Farm’s DNA for over 30 years, with some of Britain’s fastest riders cutting their teeth there. But Wilding and Nightfly have set their sights on something different – the UK’s first motocross centre designed primarily around electric off-road bikes.
You may also like to read our best electric motorcycles feature.
It’s no secret that battery-powered bikes are, in some circumstances, more at home off-road than their petrol-powered siblings. less noise, less pollution, makes them a friendlier introduction to the landscape in the eyes of certain people - we’re looking at you, hikers and ramblers.
There is another side to the battery-powered argument, though, in that electric dirt bikes are easier to live with and, crucially for a new business, need less maintenance.
The trail to approval is rarely paved smooth, though. In fact, from reading the hoops the team had to jump through to get here, the ‘road’ to approval sounds more like a special stage from hell on the Scottish Six Days Trial! The first application in 2019 was knocked back in 2021, and a second in 2022 was also refused the following year. Frustrated, Nightfly appealed, which led to a public inquiry in April 2025.
As is often not the case, in circumstances such as this, the Planning Inspector sided firmly with the developers, even going so far as to criticise Powys County Council for its handling of the case. The council now faces a partial award of costs against it, after what was described as “unreasonable behaviour,” including late submissions and flawed objections.
A green light for green riding
Ultimately, the strong environmental credentials of the project are what swung the decision, with plans that include a sustainable drainage system, phosphorus-reducing water treatment (to protect the River Wye) and converting farmland into managed green space to cut runoff, all helping the cause. Wildlife is also set to benefit, with dormouse boxes, bird and bat habitats, and a habitat management plan for the nearby Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) woodland.
The Inspector found these measures to be scientifically sound and compliant with environmental policy, a key factor in tipping the balance in Nightfly’s favour.
“A win for Powys”
Reacting to the decision, Wilding said:
“This is a win not just for our business, but for Powys. The development will bring jobs, investment, and new visitors to the area – while protecting and enhancing the local environment.”
After years of delays, the team can now finally push ahead with building what they hope will become the UK’s leading electric motocross destination.
For the local council, though, the Inspector’s words are less glowing. With wasted public money and years lost, it’s hard to escape the sense that Powys could have had its slice of the future much sooner.
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Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
