AGM was successful in securing Full planning permission for the erection of an all-weather, outdoor riding arena, measuring 30m x 20m in size, as well as additional stabling.
The site is located within the Green Belt designation and so a well-considered planning argument was put forward by AGM, detailing how the scheme should be considered as the provision of appropriate facilities (in connection with the existing use of land or a change of use) for outdoor sport and outdoor recreation.
Very Special Circumstances and a suitable Fallback position were also presented to the Local Planning Authority, demonstrating that the proposed development would be akin to development previously permitted on the land. Following this argument, the LPA considered the proposal to be an exception to both national and local Green Belt policy.
Furthermore, the site is located within the World Heritage Site of Bath and Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Careful consideration during the design stage resulted in the Planning Officer commenting that the proposal (by reason of its design, siting, scale, massing, layout and materials) was considered to be acceptable and responded positively to the local context and character of the surrounding area.
