Showjumper’s plan clears the first hurdle

SHOWJUMPER Jay Buxton’s plans to create a top class equestraian training facility at Croft have cleared the first hurdle.
Planning chiefs have given the green light for his pro9posals for a 75m X 35m all-weather arena on land off Mustard Lane, together with plans to extend and alter stables and barns on the site.
The scheme had been opposed by three neighbours and by Croft Parish Council.
Jay (Jonathan)  Buxton, 24, has qualified to take part in the International Classes at the Horse of the Year Show after winning the wild card qualifying class at the British National Showjumping Championships at Stoneleigh, Warwickshire.
He qualified after regaining fitness after fracturing his back in a fall at a show in Valencia in March.
Members of the borough council’s development management committee heard that he had the support of Robrecht Cnockaert, the British Showjumping Team’s veterinary surgeon.
In a letter to the council, he said: “I have been asked to support Jonathan’s  planning application for a large menage.
“Jonathan is a promising young showjumping rider who…is developing a good reputation as a producer of quality showjumpers.
“Today’s modern showjumper is quite a big animal. We are wanting them to jump over fences that can be 1.6m high with a depth or ‘spread’ of 2.0m. In order to train these animals safely and effectively it is imperative that suitable facilities are available.
“This includes a suitable menage which needs to be large enough to contain a full set of 14-18 jumps to have sufficient room for them to make a mistake without hurting themselves and potentially injuring the rider.
“A larger menage is thus a necessary requirement for the successful development of quality showjumpers.”
Planning officers recommended the scheme be approved. They said the alterations to buildings, including 10 loose boxes, would not be inappropriate in the Green Belt and the outdoor arena would be within an existing paddock.
There would be no significant impact on openness, nor on the Green Belt.
Neighbours had argued that the development would accommodate a commercial equestrian business on a busy lane used by children going to school.
The scale of the operation would not harmonise with other buildings in the immediate area.