Refusal for mobile home plans for Manea couple looking to run equine business

A Manea couple's hopes of running a miniature horse breeding business from a site on the outskirts of the village have suffered a setback by planners.

David and Rebecca Carrington's application for a change of use of land for domestic purposes including the siting of a mobile home at Muddy Hole Farm on Wisbech Road have been refused amid flooding fears.

A planning statement drawn up by Brian Barrow , of Bury St Edmumds-based Acorus Rural Property Services Ltd, submitted in support of the retrospective application explains the couple need to live on the site to run their equestrian enterprise.

It explains a similar application was refused last year because the couple had failed to show the viability of their equine business could support a permanent home and also because the site is in a Flood Zone 3meaning the mobile home is considered "highly vulnerable" should the site flood.

The planning statement explains about 18 months ago the Carringtons set up a Falabella horse stud.

It explains there are three aspects to the equine business, the stud, which includes breeding Falabellas, which are prized for their small size. A foaling livery service, whereby a pregnant mare is looked after by them on behalf of the owner before and after foaling.

A livery service, they currently have two horses kept on the site for which they are responsible for the full-time care.

They are also looking to rehabilitate a rescue horse to bring it back to health so it can be schooled and sold on.

The planning statement argues that Mr and Mrs Carrington need to be on site to offer round the clock care for the horses, especially those in foal or have just had a foal.

The statement explains: "It is proposed to further expand the Falabella horse stud, up to 12 mares and 2 stallions. They will allow the sale of approximately 10 foals per annum. The current horses have been successful in the show ring and Mr and Mrs Carrington wish to build on this success improving the quality of horses produced.

"Mrs Carrington works full time on the holding with part time input from Mr Carrington at busy times of the year."

It also claims there is "no dwelling currently on the site" and argues there are numerous other reasons why the couple should live on site including security and argues that while the site is in a flood risk zone it is protected by Middle Level and Environment Agency defences to a 1 in 100 year return period.

The statement says: "The application is for the temporary siting of a mobile home and the Environment Agency confirmed they were prepared to withdraw their initial objection to the previous application provided the planning permission is conditioned on residential use being no more than three years.

"The proposal passes the exception test as there is an existing essential need for someone to live on site for the welfare of animals on the holding, which will increase over the next three years."

However, a report drawn up by Fenland Council planning officers, which recommended refusal of the latest application said: "The application seeks full planning permission for a mobile home, details of which have not been provided despite repeated requests to the applicant's agent.

"The application does not reflect what is on site, which are two mobile homes with a connecting timber corridor."

Manea Parish Council also objected to the plans on the grounds it is piecemeal development on agricultural land.

The Environment Agency (EA) still objected as the site falls into a "flood risk vulnerability category that is inappropriate to the flood zone".

The EA said: "Our objection can only be overcome if the proposed development does not include the siting of a mobile home intended for residential use. We have no record of the correspondence referred to in the planning statement."

The planning officers also point out the application is for one mobile home, but there are currently two on site in addition to a timber corridor.

The report said: "The applicant's agent has stated that the level of accommodation is required for the family and office/record keeping for the business. This is considered acceptable to justify one mobile home being applied for but not what is presently on site."

The application was refused mainly on the grounds of flood risk, with the decision notice explaining the EA's hazard rating is 'danger for most' and this being to a degree likely to 'cause a risk to life'.

The application also failed to show there was no suitable accommodation in the area which could be utilised in order to support the equine enterprise.