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Residents protest as equestrian centre development is allowed
AN equestrian centre in Crewe has made my family ill', claimed a nearby resident.
Anthony Lloyd-Weston, of Greenfields in Oakhanger, is one of several neighbours who say their lives have been blighted by Oakhanger Equestrian Centre in Holmshaw Lane.
Residents and Haslington Parish Council strongly objected to the centre's latest plans including a retrospective application for an Olympic ménage and a car park's reversion into a field - initially altered using hardcore without planning permission.
The borough council was due to take the centre to court after owners ignored enforcement notices to remove the hardcore.
But at its meeting late last month it approved the proposals, which allow most of the non-porous material to remain.
Neighbours say their land has flooded as a result of the hardcore, which raised the water table, and have criticised the borough council for its decision and for failing to commit to the enforcement action.
Speaking after the meeting Mr Lloyd-Weston said: "My property borders onto this establishment and it has made my family ill with stress.
"I have lost £300,000 today because of this decision."
Neighbours also claim the centre emits noise 12 hours a day and the increase in traffic from the Olympic ménage will present a danger to road users using the already eroding small country access lane.
Cllr Byron Evans, representing the residents at the meeting, was disappointed that the points were quietly dismissed' by his fellow councillors.
He said: "The enforcement has never happened and the application has come forward to stop the removal of the hardcore.
"This has cost us a lot of money and I find it a little uncomfortable that we have got ourselves into this situation."
Cllr Maureen Campbell, who was not present at the meeting, added: "The enforcement of planning law is certainly not as effective as residents would rightfully wish to see."
Principal planning officer David Snelson said the council considered the buildings' change of use at the same time as the enforcement notice and decided it was an accepted form of development.
He added: "It does raise questions of land drainage but the Highways Agency have said they don't think there will be a problem with drainage and it is that we have to base our decisions on."
Owner of the equestrian centre George O'Shea took over the business, which has been there since the 1960s, 12 years ago.
He said: "As far as I'm concerned I have done nothing wrong.
"We had DEFRA down, they were more than satisfied and there is no reason for my neighbours to complain.
"I have tried to run a small equestrian show for the children and because it brought more traffic down the lane they started complaining - they have got it in for me."
11:32am Sunday 14th October 2007
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CommentPosted by: Mr A Lloyd-Weston, Oakhanger on 12:54pm Mon 15 Oct 07
Dear Sirs,
Oakhanger Equestrian Centre, located on Holmshaw Lane and its gradual development has been causing serious concerns for residents in the village. The owners of the equestrian centre, imported thousands of tonnes of hardcore waste in 2006, forming a two acre site to make a car park for the large numbers of spectators and participants, attending the numerous equestrian events being held on the Olympic sized show arena, mid-week evenings and weekends during 2006. Enforcement officers, from the Borough Council environment department, had to attend on many occasions to deal with the noise from public address systems being used at the site. These shows, well publicised in equestrian journals and on the web, were not just for a few children, but major commercial events in their own right with hundreds of spectators and many large heavy horse transport vehicles, with all of the additional site access issues and noise associated with them.
The local borough council of Crewe and Nantwich, with the support of residents and Cheshire County Council highways department, had taken and won enforcement action in October 2006, against the land owner in the Planning Appeals Process. The Planning Appeals' judgement ordered that the land had to be reverted to its original state, under the direction of the borough council, by February 2007.
Why has the council sanctioned all of the developments, that they so vociferously fought at great cost to the council tax payer, to get removed?
The issues of serious flooding in the area remain, danger to road users on busy days along approaches to the site, noise and light pollution from heavy goods vehicle manufacturing, but the council appear to have sanctioned the development for purely financial reasons. As Councillor Dykes said, "We have got to ask what would be the advantage of refusing this. All that would happen is more and more officers' time and money would be used on enforcement." The residents have tried to protect the local environment, but many mature healthy trees have been felled, fields flooded and ancient hedges have been seriously damaged by heavy goods vehicle show traffic travelling to and from the equestrian centre along the narrow and poorly maintained single track Holmshaw Lane.
This story will not be buried, unlike the fields of Oakhanger.
Dear Sirs,
Oakhanger Equestrian Centre, located on Holmshaw Lane and its gradual development has been causing serious concerns for residents in the village. The owners of the equestrian centre, imported thousands of tonnes of hardcore waste in 2006, forming a two acre site to make a car park for the large numbers of spectators and participants, attending the numerous equestrian events being held on the Olympic sized show arena, mid-week evenings and weekends during 2006. Enforcement officers, from the Borough Council environment department, had to attend on many occasions to deal with the noise from public address systems being used at the site. These shows, well publicised in equestrian journals and on the web, were not just for a few children, but major commercial events in their own right with hundreds of spectators and many large heavy horse transport vehicles, with all of the additional site access issues and noise associated with them.
The local borough council of Crewe and Nantwich, with the support of residents and Cheshire County Council highways department, had taken and won enforcement action in October 2006, against the land owner in the Planning Appeals Process. The Planning Appeals' judgement ordered that the land had to be reverted to its original state, under the direction of the borough council, by February 2007.
Why has the council sanctioned all of the developments, that they so vociferously fought at great cost to the council tax payer, to get removed?
The issues of serious flooding in the area remain, danger to road users on busy days along approaches to the site, noise and light pollution from heavy goods vehicle manufacturing, but the council appear to have sanctioned the development for purely financial reasons. As Councillor Dykes said, "We have got to ask what would be the advantage of refusing this. All that would happen is more and more officers' time and money would be used on enforcement." The residents have tried to protect the local environment, but many mature healthy trees have been felled, fields flooded and ancient hedges have been seriously damaged by heavy goods vehicle show traffic travelling to and from the equestrian centre along the narrow and poorly maintained single track Holmshaw Lane.
This story will not be buried, unlike the fields of Oakhanger.
Posted by: Graham Bushill, Butterton Lane, Oakhanger on 1:54pm Fri 19 Oct 07
Whist I support the development of healthy country pursuits businesses developing these activities need to respect the needs of the local community and the safety of the environment in which they exist.
Whist having no legal obligation to do so
any business that seeks to work in a small country community will find it in their interest to work with that community to protect the environment.
Unfortunately this does not appear to have been the case in the current situation and a lack of cooperation with the community when the centre was developed may well be the main contributor to the lack of trust and total breakdown in communication that exists at the present time.
Residents in the area of Holmshaw Lane have long complained about the damage to trees and grass verges caused by vehicles using the Equestrian Centre. Flooding of roads and fields in Holmshaw Lane has increased in recent years to the extent that it is unsafe for pedestrians and cyclists to use that Lane at times.
A lane which for years has enjoyed "quiet lane" status, although not officially designated as such, is now unsafe for pedestrians, horses and cyclists to use due to increases in volume and size of traffic.
Attempts were made over 7 years ago to bring parties together to discuss the issues but were met with resentment and suspicion.
We have a lovely village, with an interesting and somewhat checkered history, in a beautiful part of Cheshire. Through the work of the Oakhanger Project and the Churches of Oakhanger many people have been able to appreciate the beauty of the environment in which they live.
It would be encouraging to see the two groups in this dispute working together to ensure we move forward as a community. Yes - I do believe in miracles!
Whist I support the development of healthy country pursuits businesses developing these activities need to respect the needs of the local community and the safety of the environment in which they exist.
Whist having no legal obligation to do so
any business that seeks to work in a small country community will find it in their interest to work with that community to protect the environment.
Unfortunately this does not appear to have been the case in the current situation and a lack of cooperation with the community when the centre was developed may well be the main contributor to the lack of trust and total breakdown in communication that exists at the present time.
Residents in the area of Holmshaw Lane have long complained about the damage to trees and grass verges caused by vehicles using the Equestrian Centre. Flooding of roads and fields in Holmshaw Lane has increased in recent years to the extent that it is unsafe for pedestrians and cyclists to use that Lane at times.
A lane which for years has enjoyed "quiet lane" status, although not officially designated as such, is now unsafe for pedestrians, horses and cyclists to use due to increases in volume and size of traffic.
Attempts were made over 7 years ago to bring parties together to discuss the issues but were met with resentment and suspicion.
We have a lovely village, with an interesting and somewhat checkered history, in a beautiful part of Cheshire. Through the work of the Oakhanger Project and the Churches of Oakhanger many people have been able to appreciate the beauty of the environment in which they live.
It would be encouraging to see the two groups in this dispute working together to ensure we move forward as a community. Yes - I do believe in miracles!
Posted by: One of the riders, crewe on 8:58am Tue 30 Oct 07
I would like to point out that oakhanger riding club is not a massive club but a small and happy one for it's members who live local to this area , some of us do not have facalities available to us on out doorstep and this local club is just what a lot of us needed . We are able to enter compertitions that we have not been able to do before because so of us don't have or carn't afford transport so being able to ride down to this venue is a big advantage to us all,. I would also like to point out then when any compertation has been held there the oweners ensured that a one way system was agreed to for this reason the traffic from the compertations has been much better not causing any build up and trying to ensure safty on the local lanes. I would also like to point out that we as locals do need to have somewhere that we can take our children and family members as owning horses doe's not mean never ending supply of money most of us struggle to keep out horses and would be able to do very little competing if it were not for these little local show's and clubs . As a member of the oakhanger riding club I wish to thank the oakhanger and it's members for the chance for us to get out a little and have a little pleasure with other riders. I would also like to point out that the amount of traffic that has been commented on is as far as i am aware very little and compared to a large show ground this is a local show with local people and small amounts of traffic and very few huge wagons in fact I carn't say I have seen any huge wagons , a few small boxes yes but let's not get carried away here were not some international riding club just locals trying to have a little bit of fun with our children and our horses .
I would like to point out that oakhanger riding club is not a massive club but a small and happy one for it's members who live local to this area , some of us do not have facalities available to us on out doorstep and this local club is just what a lot of us needed . We are able to enter compertitions that we have not been able to do before because so of us don't have or carn't afford transport so being able to ride down to this venue is a big advantage to us all,. I would also like to point out then when any compertation has been held there the oweners ensured that a one way system was agreed to for this reason the traffic from the compertations has been much better not causing any build up and trying to ensure safty on the local lanes. I would also like to point out that we as locals do need to have somewhere that we can take our children and family members as owning horses doe's not mean never ending supply of money most of us struggle to keep out horses and would be able to do very little competing if it were not for these little local show's and clubs . As a member of the oakhanger riding club I wish to thank the oakhanger and it's members for the chance for us to get out a little and have a little pleasure with other riders. I would also like to point out that the amount of traffic that has been commented on is as far as i am aware very little and compared to a large show ground this is a local show with local people and small amounts of traffic and very few huge wagons in fact I carn't say I have seen any huge wagons , a few small boxes yes but let's not get carried away here were not some international riding club just locals trying to have a little bit of fun with our children and our horses .
Posted by: Oakhanger Visitor, Crewe on 6:55pm Fri 11 Jan 08
Regarding Mr Lloyd-Weston email, I have known Oakhanger Riding Centre for over twenty years, My mother learnt to ride there, and her Father came there years before that, I would say it is a valuable part of the Oakhanger community and surrounding areas, and the current owners have done nothing but improve the facilities there and always seem to put alot of work into keeping customers happy, Its a safe environment for children and familys, and I thought the riding club was a great idea, especially for children who cant afford their own pony,I wish 'Oakhanger Equestrian Centre' a Happy New Year!
Regarding Mr Lloyd-Weston email, I have known Oakhanger Riding Centre for over twenty years, My mother learnt to ride there, and her Father came there years before that, I would say it is a valuable part of the Oakhanger community and surrounding areas, and the current owners have done nothing but improve the facilities there and always seem to put alot of work into keeping customers happy, Its a safe environment for children and familys, and I thought the riding club was a great idea, especially for children who cant afford their own pony,I wish 'Oakhanger Equestrian Centre' a Happy New Year!
Posted by: Horse Owner, Staffs on 10:28pm Fri 8 Feb 08
I have been a horse owner for the past 15 years and have kept my horses in the oakhanger area. The riding club has been a valuble resource not just for myself but also my children because they have gained a taste of what competition is like and their abilities have bloomed because of the riding club. I have known the owners a number of years and they have been nothing but good embasadors for the sport. Although I do not keep my horses at the centre I do keep them close by and have found that there is more disturbance from the neighbours in regards to noise than from the equestrian centre. As for traffic on the lanes I would be more concerned with the boy racers who tare round the lanes using it as a rally road than the horse boxes and trailers that use it, at least they have the courtosy to drive slowly, I've lost track of the number of times an idiot car driver has almost run into me or even worse my young children when out riding. I wish George all the best for future shows and I look forward to when the shows can return back to the centre. I offer my full support to the cause that Oakhanger riding club stand for.
I have been a horse owner for the past 15 years and have kept my horses in the oakhanger area. The riding club has been a valuble resource not just for myself but also my children because they have gained a taste of what competition is like and their abilities have bloomed because of the riding club. I have known the owners a number of years and they have been nothing but good embasadors for the sport. Although I do not keep my horses at the centre I do keep them close by and have found that there is more disturbance from the neighbours in regards to noise than from the equestrian centre. As for traffic on the lanes I would be more concerned with the boy racers who tare round the lanes using it as a rally road than the horse boxes and trailers that use it, at least they have the courtosy to drive slowly, I've lost track of the number of times an idiot car driver has almost run into me or even worse my young children when out riding. I wish George all the best for future shows and I look forward to when the shows can return back to the centre. I offer my full support to the cause that Oakhanger riding club stand for.
Posted by: Tony Lloyd-Weston on 5:00pm Sat 23 Feb 08
It is interesting to note that the local borough council has continued to completely fail in its enforcement policy at Oakhanger Equestrian Centre (OEC) with regard to stopping the motorised horse-box conversion business, totally against the conditions that were imposed at the time of giving conditional retrospective permission for the large “storage” building.
Equally, despite making additional conditions in applications along ago as 2005, for the protection of existing hedging and the rights of residents to enjoy their own homes and gardens, no landscaping plans, as per other conditions on the approved application, have ever been presented to or sanctioned by Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council or any meaningful enforcement applied, to ensure such conditions are adhered to.
It now appears that plans, are being referred to, for yet more shows being held at the OEC site, again totally against the conditions applied to approved plans. The total lack of any efforts to revert the hard-core par-park area to a field and no obvious drainage being provided on the same area, will be of no surprise to anyone, who has seen this site develop beyond all reasonable boundaries of which is a sensibly sustainable business, in an area with such restricted access.
It’s also interesting to hear some from the horse-riding fraternity, frequenting OEC, moan and groan about other users on Holmshaw Lane, when they should consider how they access the site themselves, which is probably by car or worse still bringing their huge horse wagons down such narrow lanes, destroying verges and hedges along the way.
[bold]Hypocritical in the extreme and leaving the residents living with the mess they leave in their wake![/bold]
Tony Lloyd-Weston
Oakhanger
It is interesting to note that the local borough council has continued to completely fail in its enforcement policy at Oakhanger Equestrian Centre (OEC) with regard to stopping the motorised horse-box conversion business, totally against the conditions that were imposed at the time of giving conditional retrospective permission for the large “storage” building.
Equally, despite making additional conditions in applications along ago as 2005, for the protection of existing hedging and the rights of residents to enjoy their own homes and gardens, no landscaping plans, as per other conditions on the approved application, have ever been presented to or sanctioned by Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council or any meaningful enforcement applied, to ensure such conditions are adhered to.
It now appears that plans, are being referred to, for yet more shows being held at the OEC site, again totally against the conditions applied to approved plans. The total lack of any efforts to revert the hard-core par-park area to a field and no obvious drainage being provided on the same area, will be of no surprise to anyone, who has seen this site develop beyond all reasonable boundaries of which is a sensibly sustainable business, in an area with such restricted access.
It’s also interesting to hear some from the horse-riding fraternity, frequenting OEC, moan and groan about other users on Holmshaw Lane, when they should consider how they access the site themselves, which is probably by car or worse still bringing their huge horse wagons down such narrow lanes, destroying verges and hedges along the way.
Hypocritical in the extreme and leaving the residents living with the mess they leave in their wake!
Tony Lloyd-Weston
Oakhanger
Posted by: Diane Rorbach on 8:05pm Mon 5 May 08
I would just like to reply to a comment made by Tony Lloyd-weston . I as a member of the local riding club have supported them fully and will continue to do so as I feel that they allow local family's to join in a small local show that many of us would be unable to join it with if it were not for the riding club as a large number of us do not have our own transport and are able to hack safly down to our local show , which to us is invaluable. I suggest that my Tony Lloyde-weston should consider how many family with horses enjoy this facility without the use of these huge horse box's that he makes comments about , this is not olympia for god's sake it's a small local riding club of which we don't have many that supports local riders and encourages them and there family's to enjoy there hobbie in safe surrounding's as I am sure mr Tony Lloyd-Weston is only too aware of the dangers on the roads today for horse riders both young and old and there horses. I would like to say lot's more on this subject to the above but as I am a lady and I am not going to lower myself.
I would just like to reply to a comment made by Tony Lloyd-weston . I as a member of the local riding club have supported them fully and will continue to do so as I feel that they allow local family's to join in a small local show that many of us would be unable to join it with if it were not for the riding club as a large number of us do not have our own transport and are able to hack safly down to our local show , which to us is invaluable. I suggest that my Tony Lloyde-weston should consider how many family with horses enjoy this facility without the use of these huge horse box's that he makes comments about , this is not olympia for god's sake it's a small local riding club of which we don't have many that supports local riders and encourages them and there family's to enjoy there hobbie in safe surrounding's as I am sure mr Tony Lloyd-Weston is only too aware of the dangers on the roads today for horse riders both young and old and there horses. I would like to say lot's more on this subject to the above but as I am a lady and I am not going to lower myself.
Posted by: Sarah Darke, Crewe on 12:59pm Tue 6 May 08
It is interesting that Mr Lloyd-Weston's second comment about the planning decision was the fact it had cost him £300,000. He is only interested in his own pocket, not the fact the centre provides facilities that are needed in the area. I am sick to death of people who want to live in the country but do not want anything to go on there that might affect them in any way. Horses are kept in the countryside and horseboxes and trailers are used to move them about. Fact. If you buy a house near an equestrian centre - or any other enterprise- you should expect it to expand over time and you need to consider the impact any possible expansion may have on the property you want to buy. Do you homework first. So many people buy a house and then do nothing but bleat on about the facilities around the house that they do not like. The centre provides facilities that are needed and these facilities can only be provided in the countryside. I suggest Mr Lloyd-Weston sells up and moves to a town where there are no horses and no horseboxes. Perhaps he will then be happy- until someone does something he does not like that does not suit him, at which point he will start his bleatig all over again.
It is interesting that Mr Lloyd-Weston's second comment about the planning decision was the fact it had cost him £300,000. He is only interested in his own pocket, not the fact the centre provides facilities that are needed in the area. I am sick to death of people who want to live in the country but do not want anything to go on there that might affect them in any way. Horses are kept in the countryside and horseboxes and trailers are used to move them about. Fact. If you buy a house near an equestrian centre - or any other enterprise- you should expect it to expand over time and you need to consider the impact any possible expansion may have on the property you want to buy. Do you homework first. So many people buy a house and then do nothing but bleat on about the facilities around the house that they do not like. The centre provides facilities that are needed and these facilities can only be provided in the countryside. I suggest Mr Lloyd-Weston sells up and moves to a town where there are no horses and no horseboxes. Perhaps he will then be happy- until someone does something he does not like that does not suit him, at which point he will start his bleatig all over again.
Posted by: Tony Lloyd-Weston, Oakhanger on 12:00pm Sun 11 May 08
I suggest that those criticising me for my comments regarding the developments at Oakhanger Equestrian Centre, should perhaps equip them selves with [bold]ALL[/bold] the full facts (including death threats against me with my children being physically threatened!), before launching into suggesting that I move my family away from the problems, caused by the over development of this establishment.
I understand that the Police file on this establishment is already quite considerable with previous and connected issues at this site.
The matter is now with the Local Government Ombudsman for review and legal advice has been taken about prospective action being taken to protect our environment for all to enjoy in the future, not just a few!
Yes, I'm protecting my investment (it would be irresponsible not to and who wouldn't?) as that is what I've worked my life for. Born and bred in the countryside. Happy to debate this further, with anyone in a sensible manner.
Tony Lloyd-Weston
I suggest that those criticising me for my comments regarding the developments at Oakhanger Equestrian Centre, should perhaps equip them selves with
ALL the full facts (including death threats against me with my children being physically threatened!), before launching into suggesting that I move my family away from the problems, caused by the over development of this establishment.
I understand that the Police file on this establishment is already quite considerable with previous and connected issues at this site.
The matter is now with the Local Government Ombudsman for review and legal advice has been taken about prospective action being taken to protect our environment for all to enjoy in the future, not just a few!
Yes, I'm protecting my investment (it would be irresponsible not to and who wouldn't?) as that is what I've worked my life for. Born and bred in the countryside. Happy to debate this further, with anyone in a sensible manner.
Tony Lloyd-Weston
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