The petrolhead behind Kent’s first car ‘drifting’ school says he will continue to operate the new track - despite being advised to slam on the brakes because it doesn’t have planning permission.

Council officials have stepped in after complaints about the noise of revving engines and screeching tyres at the Skidz Advanced Driving School set up at Manston Airport by enthusiast Warren Lees from Sandwich.

He created the track after falling foul of the law with his on-road driving stunts in his souped-up BMW.

His mission was to create “a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to promoting safe and skilled drifting”, which involves the controlled sideways power-sliding of a car.

But now Thanet District Council has put the skids under the operation after enforcement officers deemed it “unauthorised”.

They have advised Mr Lees to stop because he does not have planning permission for change of use of the land, which was a former lorry driving tuition centre.

His track days at Manston have been operating on Saturdays since its launch on March 16, with participants charged £110 a session.

Mid-week slots for drifting tuition sessions are also being offered.

But the noise of car engines revving and tyres screeching is said to be heard by residents in Manston as well as the surrounding villages of Acol, St Nicholas, Minster and Birchington.

Thanet District Council says it took action following complaints about the disturbance and questions were raised about legality of the operation without planning permission.

A spokesman for the authority explained: “We are aware there is a drift track in operation in Manston.

“Currently it does not have planning permission.

”A number of complaints have been received from members of the public regarding noise levels. These are currently under investigation.

“Our environmental health team encourages anyone affected by the noise from the site to submit a complaint.

“Our planning enforcement team has contacted the site owners and business operators, and a planning application, for the change of use to a motorsport facility, has been submitted.

“Permitted development rights allow for up to 14 days a year for motor car racing, including trials of speed. In this case, as the track is within the curtilage of existing buildings, that right does not apply.

“While the breach of planning control does not constitute a criminal offence, we advise that unauthorised use of the site should cease until a decision on whether to grant planning permission has been made.

Mr Lees, a marine engineer and mechanic who runs a business modifying cars for drifting, had hoped to create the “perfect playground for practising the art of sideways driving” after he had his own car seized by police for pulling the stunt on public roads.

But he told KentOnline this week that he will continue to use the track for drifting while his planning application is being considered because he is not breaking the law.

“I have invested at least £56,000 in the facility and have gone over and above to ensure it is as safe as possible for drivers and spectators,” he said.

“And it’s been a great success so far, with between 15 and 18 cars every session, although we have now made it every other Saturday.

“The mid-week tuition days are also proving very popular.

“There’s a lot of hate out there for the drift scene but we are doing it in a responsible safe way and the facility is gaining in popularity.

“I hope that our planning application for the site - which, after all, was previously for lorry driving tuition - is considered sympathetically.”