Commercial DIY livery plans for Dereham stable scrapped

Melissa Cope was seeking permission to operate a commercial DIY livery at Greenfields on Swanton Road in Dereham.

But the proposals drew concerns from Norfolk County Council about visibility for motorists at the site's access.

The council, acting as the Local Highways Authority, said: "Introduction of a commercial livery would allow independent use of the stables and manège, over and above the level presently experienced, to the detriment of highway safety given the substandard nature of the access".

The development would have involved the change of use of a stable and equestrian facility (Image: Google)

The plans would have involved the change of use of the existing stable, tack room, feed room, manège, and paddocks.

Planning approval was initially granted for the stables to be used for domestic and personal purposes.

It has previously operated commercially, but the current owners are hoping to regularise that use.

No external changes to the stables, nor the construction of new structures or fencing, are proposed as part of the development.

The plans also state that a maximum of four horses would be kept on site, reflecting the size of the existing stables.

A planning statement argued that there was "sufficient space within the site" for vehicles to park and turn safely.

The statement added the site is "well-served" to serve the needs of people in surrounding villages and there would be "no tangible harms" to residential amenity, highway safety, or capacity.

It concluded: "The existing stables and manège have been found to be acceptable by the council when planning permission was granted for their construction.

"Thus, the proposal would not cause harm to the character of the area, or the countryside".

The plans were confirmed to have been withdrawn by Breckland Council on July 30.

It is currently unclear at this stage whether the application will be resubmitted.