Just before Christmas, plans were approved which will see the replacement, and new configuration, of a set of stables in Finchampstead.
The existing set of three stables will be demolished and replaced with four stables, a tack room, and feed store.
ET Planning realised from the beginning that a feed store would be an important component of the new design, which was subsequently produced by 3DR architects, as the British Horse Society Standards deemed the site too small to introduce a fourth stable unless there was adequate feeding provisions. With extra feed included in the proposal the scheme was found to be acceptable as this would provide supplementary horse feed all year round.
During the application stage, Wokingham Borough Council requested an ecology report but since there was no change of use of land proposed, ET Planning refuted this. As the equestrian site already has
lawful use for grazing, it was found that an ecology report was not needed.
The plans were approved under delegated powers.