A SPOKESMAN for Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council said: “The owner of this former farm complex has constructed a gallop without planning permission and has directly affected valuable wildlife habitat, protected species and also a Site of Biological Importance.

“Regrettably, therefore, in this instance the council was faced with no alternative but to issue formal enforcement proceedings in order to prevent ongoing harm to ecology. These proceedings have subsequently been upheld by a Government-appointed planning inspector, who concurred that the use of the land for the exercising and training of horses would cause unacceptable harm to the habitat of protected species.

“The council is proactive in working with developers as much as possible in order to facilitate new development that can bring additional jobs and benefits to the local economy. Indeed, this approach has helped to secure high levels of inward investment and is one of the reasons that the borough is recognised by the North West Regional Assembly as a gateway to the region. However, as a local planning authority, the council has to balance these benefits against the need to safeguard the natural environment, including fulfilling its statutory obligations to safeguard protected species.

“The owner has subsequently submitted an application for planning permission for the gallop. Although it is not possible to predetermine this application it is likely that once appropriate mitigation measures are implemented then the development may be able to proceed to completion.”