Neighbours query Fort Road work
NEIGHBOURS to a new equestrian site under development off Fort Road have questioned whether the planning application is being implemented correctly.
One said that he had written to Planning at the end of March to query why extensive earthworks were taking place, as no mention was made of this in the original plans.
The neighbour, who did not wish to be named, also said a section of hedgerow has been removed to facilitate the earthworks, and, this did not have planning permission, apart from for pedestrian access.
The equestrian area is for private use and is not the indoor equestrian centre that was planned for the site in 2018.
New plans were approved in 2020 as variations to the originals, including demolishing outbuildings and building two stable blocks, an office, a covered seating area, sand school with lighting, horse walker, lunge pen and exercise track.
The original area contained an estimated 8,000m sq. of species-rich grassland.
Directly opposite the site are the wildflower areas that were created by Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Services in 2017.
A Planning Service spokesman said that its officers visited the land towards the end of last month.
Planning permission has been granted for stables and other associated development.
‘Enquiries are ongoing at this time and no notices have been served to date,’ he said.
The landowner has said that much of the land will be returned to pasture when the works are completed.
