Riding school gets permission

The planning committee heard a proposal for the retention of an equestrian centre - providing rising lessons and trekking services - including the building of a manege and retention of floodlighting and the temporary use of a portacabin as a reception.

The Coloured Cob Trekking Centre attracts thousands of visitors each year, offering treks through local woodlands and tourists attractions for complete novices to experienced riders.

The facility is based at Bank House Farm on Mansfield Road near Creswell and employs seven people.

The business helps to boost the local tourist trade through its visitor numbers every year.

The application gave permission for a 21.3 metre wide x 41 metre long manege which will be bounded by post and rail fencing for the safety of horses and riders.

The committee deabted the application and approved it subject to a number of conditions.

These includes the use be limited to 8am and 8pm, the floodlighting only be used between 8am and 8pm from October to April, a soakaway be provided within one month to take drainage away from the manege and the portacabin be removed after two years.