Inspector hears mobile home appeal

A planning inspector today reviewed rejected plans to place a mobile home for an equestrian worker on a farm near Leominster.

Andrew Pearson had submitted the plans which included the construction of two new stables at Priory Farm in Stoke Prior in October last year, but they were refused by Herefordshire Council.

He said the business needed someone living on site to look after the horses during foaling and to care for them generally.

The hearing at Hereford Town Hall was told that horses had been affected by strangles, a bacterial infection which causes choking in the animals, and that having a groom on site was vital to saving their lives.

The council said the proposed site was in open countryside where new homes are only allowed in exceptional circumstances.

Inspector Darren Hendley asked the council why it considered the existing farmhouse at Priory Farm could fulfill the business function.

Robert Fox, a consultant speaking for the local authority, said: “The existing farmhouse is adjacent to 18 bespoke stables.

“That would be one of the reasons as to why the existing farmhouse would cover the functional need because you could base the livery business in and around the building.

“That is where the horses were based when the previous owners had a equine welfare and rescue business.

“A groom who is employed could be based somewhere in the locality.

“We are only within three miles of the edge of Leominster and there is a whole wealth of accommodation.”

Anthony Atkinson, speaking on behalf of the applicant, said the farmhouse was occupied by Mr and Mrs Pearson.

“They have their own business. They don’t have any day to day involvement with the livery enterprise.

“So the farmhouse isn’t available for the groom or anyone else to occupy.

“The livery enterprise is some way from the farmhouse and requires somebody to live on site adjacent to the stable buildings.”

Council officer Andrew Banks pointed out that the farmhouse had been subdivided into two units of accommodation.

“As I understand it, that permission was implemented and there is another unit of accommodation available at Priory farmhouse.”

Mr Atkinson said neither the farmhouse nor any accommodation at the site could meet the functional needs for the livery enterprise.

Mr Pearson said he took Mr Banks’ point that there is an extra accommodation next to the farmhouse.

“As far as I’m concerned that is let out on a long let. That is not available as we speak,” he said.

“We really are looking at having someone on the site of the enterprise.”

Mr Fox said the stables were less than five minutes’ walk away from the farmhouse.

“That is effectively a house on the site.”

“Add in the CCTV and you have full monitoring and care.”

The inspector will consider the representations and make a judgement in the coming weeks.