Southern Planning Practice Ltd - Equestrian Buildings
Project - Equestrian Floodlights
- Six lights surrounding a manége
- Located within the South Downs National Park (SDNP)
- Ancillary to rural recreational activities
- Essential equestrian facility for livery yard
The proposal was for the retention of six lights surrounding a manége, at a restricted height during the winter months before 7.30pm. The lights were screened by the fencing and the hedges situated around the site and along the road frontage. The proposal was also to implement further landscaping.
Key Issues
- Effect of the development on the character and appearance of this area of the SDNP
- Impact on amenities of local residents
- Livelihood of rural business
Design Solution
The lights were considered to be in an elevated position in a National Park. The number, timing, light intensity, direction and angle of elevation of the Lamps were therefore restricted as part of the proposal in order to reduce impact on neighbouring amenities and the character of the SDNP. Several photographs at various times of the day were taken as evidence to support the proposal and an evening appeal site visit was requested.
The visual intrusion was considered acceptable by a Planning Inspector and “not materially different from that generated by various other sources of light emission within the general area”.
The Planning Inspector also concluded that “the minor negative impact which the development creates to the area in general and the National Park in particular is outweighed in the planning balance by the benefits to the rural enterprise in the form of the livery which it supports without any material conflict with the relevant policies of the development plan”.
For more information contact Alexandra King, Planner
