‘Why the aggro?’ asks owner of Fort Road fields

Work started in March to transform two fields on the western side of the road into private stables for up to 12 horses. It has generated widespread and vocal opposition, including from many neighbours.

Planning officials visited the site recently after receiving complaints that some of the work was inconsistent with the approved planning application.

‘We don’t understand the aggravation,’ said the landowner, who asked not to be named.

‘It’s not as if we’ve done this secretly. If neighbours have a question, they should come and ask.

‘I know there have been complaints about it looking ugly now, but it won’t when it’s finished.

‘It’s going to be a pretty site.’

Plans have been approved for an open- air sand school and two stable blocks.

The owner said the stables would probably end up operating at about half their capacity, accommodating around half a dozen horses.

There will also be a circular walking area and a lunge pen.

The land previously contained an estimated 8,000m sq. of species-rich grassland. The owner has said that the southern field, nearest to Morley Chapel, will be returned to pasture once the work is finished.

The aim is to sub-divide the field into 15 areas which will be grazed by the horses from the neighbouring stables.

There is a large dip in the middle of the land which the owner would like to have raised by about 450mm.

‘We want to reduce the level of dip so it’s more comfortable for the horses,’ he said.

But the developers removed the topsoil without realising that raising land above 150mm required planning permission.

‘Even the planners hadn’t realised,’ said the owner.

A planning application has now been submitted. If the application is rejected, the topsoil will be returned, and the dip will remain.

‘I don’t see how anybody would have a problem with raising it slightly,’ said the owner.

The project is being carried out by Crocker Civil Engineering. Director Daryl Tapp said the company was aiming to do most of the work by the end of this year before handing over the completed development by March 2024.

A previous owner of the site had plans passed for an indoor horse riding facility with a floodlit sand school and seating for the public. They were also controversial and ended up being dropped.

The current landowner decided to maintain the equestrian theme of the development but turn it into a less ambitious scheme for private use only.

He could not understand why anyone would think it was in his interest to create an unattractive area.

‘When it’s all done within the next nine months, what the neighbouring houses will see is a beautiful picture of horses grazing,’ he said.

The site is directly opposite wildflower areas created by the States in 2017.