By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
Plans to demolish and build new stables on the outskirts of Cheltenham have been given the go-ahead amid concerns its aim is to block the view for further development.
Mr and Mrs Wiggins have been granted permission to go ahead with the demolition and removal of the existing stables, barn and hardstanding at The Nurseries in Kidnappers Lane in Leckhampton.
Their proposals, which were debated by Cheltenham Borough Council’s planning committee last night (August 21), include the construction of a new stable block with hardstanding on another part of the site closer to the lane.
The scheme was referred to the committee by ward councillor Martin Horwood (LD, Leckhampton).
The spa town’s former MP and current deputy mayor raised concerns the scheme would be in breach of multiple planning policies and represented a test of the council’s commitment to the local green space policy.
“Quite apart from the insertion of ‘storage’ as well as stables on the plan, I would say this development would serve the pretty transparent objective of blocking the viewpoint so that further development can be inserted behind the new stables – there seems no other reason why the stables should move into the foreground of the field or the original stables not simply be modernised,” he said.
“The implication is that this replaces the existing stables but these could then be claimed as brownfield land and developed.”
The meeting was told these comments were supposition and could not be considered.
The applicant’s consultant explained at the meeting that the new proposed site for the stables would provide better views from the lane.
“In visual terms, the proposed stable block is orientated to avoid disruption of views towards Leckhampton Hill and the escarpment, particularly when seen from Kidnappers Lane,” he said.
“The replacement of an existing stable block, which is in a poor state of repair and a detractor to local visual amenity, provides an opportunity to enhance the landscape.
“The proposed stable block will have a smaller footprint and will better align with the existing pattern of settlement found along Kidnappers’ Lane.
“The proposed building will have a ridge height of 3.9m and eaves height of 2.5m.
“This is a small structure, but with recognizable equestrian characteristics that retain an important correlation with the existing rural land use.”
Councillors voted unanimously to approve the plans.