‘It gives us more security’ - showjumpers finally clear planning hurdle
After two decades of planning rejections, the British Showjumping Guernsey branch finally has certainty that it can stay and ride at its Chemin Le Roi base.
The former Aeroplane Vinery site has been used by local equestrians for more than 40 years, but the land remained classed as agricultural. Planners rejected attempts to change it to recreational land in 2003, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
But a fresh attempt earlier this year has finally brought success.
BSG chairwoman Debbie Ashwell said the club was thrilled with the approval.
‘We have applied before and been rejected, so this is a massive success,’ she said.
‘It gives us more security.’
There are a number of structures on the site, which have developed over the years, such as the double-decker bus used as a commentary box. But improving and investing in these structures has previously been fraught with risk, as there are limited opportunities to get permission for structures on agricultural land.
Miss Ashwell said this change of use would make that much easier.
‘If we want to invest further, subject to planning, we will have a greater ability to apply for these things,’ she said.
‘All improvements are big investments.’
The planners accepted that most of the existing structures are likely to be immune from enforcement action through the passage of time, but that did not meant they were in lawful use. In the decision notice it was suggested the applicant could regularise their use with further planning applications.
Previous rejections have argued that the site, which is classed as part of an agriculture priority area, was good quality agricultural land which needed to be protected. This also limited the number of days the site could be used for equestrian activity.
But the latest application was considered under the more recent Island Development Plan, which meant a big shift in the policies it was considered against.
Planning officers said that the proposal did not appear to have had any adverse impact on commercial agriculture on the island and the Guernsey Farmers Association raised no objections, noting that the facility contributed positively to the island’s equestrian community, though it did seek reassurances that the site would not be developed in future if the BSG stopped using the land.
But the planners said this would not be reasonable. They said that such a condition could prejudice future development applications for the site.
The site has been used for equestrian uses since the gradual removal of glass after 1979, with all the glass removed by 2009.
‘The planning service is mindful that there have been equestrian activities ongoing on this site for a considerable length of time,’ the planners said in the decision notice, noting that this might allow its lawful use to be changed without planning permission.
The Guernsey Horse of Year Show takes place on the site from Wednesday over five days, which will see dozens of horses taking part.
