Land to the West of Parsonage Barn, Oxenbourne Lane, East Meon, PETERSFIELD, GU32 1EW

Within the last 10 years and without permission the change of use of the land to equestrian use and the operational development consisting of the formation of a new access and sand gallop track around the perimeter of the field

Authority: South Downs
Appeal type: enforcement · Enforcement Notice
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: leisure-sport · Change of use
Inspector: Preston C

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

The effect of the development on the character and appearance of the area and its effect on the landscape, scenic beauty and tranquillity of the South Downs National Park
Whether the removal of a section of hedgerow to facilitate new access gates has had a harmful effect on biodiversity and, if so, whether that could be adequately mitigated

What decided it

The sand track is visually discrete with no impact on the wider landscape or scenic beauty of the National Park, and any biodiversity harm from hedgerow removal can be adequately mitigated through compensatory planting.

Framework references: 187, 189

Plan policies cited: Policy SD4, Policy SD5, Policy SD7, Policy SD24, Policy SD11, Policy EM5

Read the decision letter on the Inspectorate’s site

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