Planning permission has been secured for a partly retrospective private equestrian development within the Green Belt in Bath and North East Somerset.
Our client purchased the site to create a private equestrian facility for their daughter, who competes in dressage. The small-scale use proposed new stables, covered storage, a 60m by 20m horse arena and associated facilities.
Significant local authority objections concerning the Green Belt location and landscape impact have been overcome, as the application was originally to be refused under delegated powers.
We submitted additional evidence to justify the principle of development, leading to Bath and North East Somerset Council to conclude that “the proposed appropriate facilities for outdoor sport and recreation have sought to minimise impact on openness, and would not significantly conflict with the purposes of the Green Belt.” The development was agreed to be appropriate development in the Green Belt – compliant with local and national policy.
Landscape and visual impact was addressed by Clark Landscape Design who provided a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment. This robust assessment led to the Council concluding that the use of the site for its equine purpose is considered to be appropriate for the rural setting where it is common for there to be facilities for the keeping and exercise of animals such as horses, particularly in locations accessible to villages. As a result, the proposed development was judged to not result in harm to the landscape character.
The Council’s ecological objections were addressed by Fenswood Ecology who also provided the Biodiversity Net Gain assessment.
