New equestrian facilities on Lancashire farmland given green light

The scheme at Marsh View on Shard Lane will see the change of use of agricultural land for the keeping of horses, alongside an extension to an existing storage building to create stables, a sand paddock, a hardstanding track, and a new pond with bund.

Planning permission was formally granted on July 8.

Proposed plans (Image: Wyre Council)

Applicant David Norcross submitted the proposals for land to the rear of the property, which is located within designated countryside outside the settlement boundary.

The site is also situated within an area identified as indicative Flood Zone 3b and within a Site of Special Scientific Interest impact zone.

Planning documents show the new equestrian facilities will include a stable block measuring around 9.7 metres by 9.1 metres.

The extension will provide two loose boxes, a tack room, and a feed store for horses kept on the land.

A 35m by 50m sand paddock enclosed by post-and-rail fencing will also be created, together with an access track linking the site to Shard Lane.

A report prepared by planning officers said the scheme met local planning policies covering equestrian development in the countryside.

Plans show the new equestrian facilities will include a stable block measuring around 9.7 metres by 9.1 metres (Image: Canva)

While the land available for grazing amounts to around 1.6 acres, officers concluded that the addition of the sand paddock and supplementary feeding arrangements meant two horses could be sustainably accommodated on the site.

The proposal attracted support from consultees, with Hambleton Parish Council raising no objections, and Lancashire County Council Highways also supporting the plans, subject to the facilities remaining for private use only.

The Environment Agency and Wyre Council's drainage engineers likewise raised no objections after reviewing a flood risk assessment submitted with the application.

Flooding was one of the main considerations during the planning process because of the site's location.

However, officers accepted that the development represented a "less vulnerable" form of development and concluded it could not reasonably be located elsewhere within the applicant's landholding.

The Environment Agency said it was satisfied the development would be safe and would not increase flood risk elsewhere, provided it was carried out in accordance with the approved flood mitigation measures.

Ecology issues were also examined closely.

Documents submitted as part of the application acknowledged that a small pond on the site had previously been infilled and that some habitat had been lost before biodiversity assessments were completed.

Ecology advisers noted the pond had previously been identified as having excellent potential for great crested newts and warned that offences may have been committed if protected species had been affected.

To address these concerns, the plans include the creation of a new compensatory pond and habitat improvements across the site.

Biodiversity assessments submitted to the council concluded the development would deliver a biodiversity net gain of more than 27 per cent, significantly above the statutory requirement for a 10 per cent increase.

The approval comes with a number of planning conditions.

These include the submission of a biodiversity gain plan, a habitat management and monitoring plan covering a 30-year period, drainage details, and ecological protection measures.

The stables and paddock must be used solely by the occupants of Marsh View and cannot operate as a business, livery yard, or commercial equestrian facility.

Council officers concluded the proposal would not have an unacceptable impact on the countryside, neighbouring residents, or highway safety, recommending that planning permission be granted.