All-weather equestrian exercise pen at Bramshaw allowed on appeal after inspector rules it is in keeping with local area

A BRAMSHAW man has won his appeal against the national park authority to build an all-weather equestrian exercise pen.

Anthony Cassidy was initially refused permission to build the facility at Consort Cottage in Row Hill, as well as installing post-and-rail fencing and an access track.

He was turned down on the grounds that the NPA felt the development could lead to harmful cumulative effects if replicated across the New Forest.

Planners said it was "a poor form of development in a prominent rural location" which was visually intrusive and harmful to the nearby conservation area.

Bramshaw Parish Council had also objected to it.

Mr Cassidy challenged the decision, however, and now planning inspector James Blackwell has given it the go-ahead, ruling the appeal site was already "distinctively equestrian" in character.

In his decision letter, Mr Blackwell wrote: "Given the limited extent of built development, the exercise pen remains low level and broadly unobtrusive, and still retains the prevailing openness of its rural surroundings."

He added the fencing was "commonplace" in surrounding agricultural land.

He noted the site was not readily visible as it was separated from its closest neighbours, including Bramshaw village hall, by tall and dense hedgerow.

Mr Blackwell concluded that as each case is assessed on its own individual merits there was no risk it could set a "harmful" precedent for equestrian development.

He added: "There is a large stable block to the west of the cottage, as well as a large manège just to the south of the stables.

"The development comprises a circular exercise pen measuring approximately 20 metres in diameter and is enclosed by a timber post and rail fence.

"There is also a gravel track on the approach to the exercise pen from the stables."