'Plan rejection was farce' (From Gazette Series)

'Plan rejection was farce'

THE OWNER of a farm in Hillesley has resubmitted plans to Stroud District Council for a small horse-riding facility.

The original plans were submitted last year but members of the council's development control committee voted to refuse permission because they thought the surrounding roads were inadequate and the site was unsustainable.

Karen Joynson resubmitted the plans for Woodmans Farm, Hawkesbury Road, so she can so she can give private riding lessons to people on their own horses.

Mrs Joynson, who is qualified to the level of the Intermediate Instructors Teaching and Stable Managers exam with the British Horse Society, was aggrieved by the council's original decision because she says other people have built similar riding venues without planning permission, while she has gone through the correct channels.

She said: "We have tried to do this properly. I am doing this so I can teach riding from my own arena. I had permission granted for my arena granted but they put a clause on it so it is only for personal use.

"We have neighbours who are constantly building extensions and then getting change of use. One of my neighbours has applied for a change of use to residential, so they can soon apply for a house to be built."

Mrs Joynson said her neighbours have objected to the proposal and told the Gazette that one neighbour had already erected a banner in his field objecting.

She added: "I have the full backing of the BHS, who have said it is a farce that the plans were turned down."