Residents' unrest at application to turn riding schools into storage (From Bucks Free Press)

Residents' unrest at application to turn riding schools into storage in Walters Ash

7:20am Wednesday 20th February 2013 in News By Rebecca Cain

Shana Riding School. Image from Google Maps

A GROUP of residents has raised concerns about a planning application to change a riding school into storage saying it will create noise and disruption from lorries.

Michael Bryant, owner of Country Supplies in Hughenden Valley, has applied for a change of use at Shana Riding School in New Road, Walters Ash for storage and distribution of landscaping and fencing materials.

The application is to use part of the vacant site and the proposal says it will not operate at weekends and would limit the hours to 7.30am to 6pm weekdays.

It said there will be about 50 traffic movements a week. The Naphill and Walters Ash Residents Association has circulated a leaflet raising concerns about the amount of noise, vibration and fumes on roads in the area.

The leaflet said: "This site is all in Green Belt and AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) where permitted development does include use of land for equestrian purposes but does not include storage and distribution of landscaping and fencing materials on a commercial scale."

Wycombe District Council is considering enforcement action after work began at the site.

There are a number of objections online from residents in the area.

Mark Dell from Naphill said: "Naphill is in a green belt and storage and distribution is not a permitted green belt activity. Can the council please consider the impact on our village, the increase of heavy goods vehicles will have."

Mr Bryant said he recognises the concerns of residents and has made every effort to listen and represent the company by attending parish council meetings and is committed to follow guidelines stipulated by the council.

He added: "As a local supplier to both public and trade customers, we feel we offer an excellent service. Our local client base demonstrates this be true. Our expansion into Shana Riding Stables has allowed us to alleviate some of the pressure on our existing yard at Hughenden Valley by providing more storage facilities

"There will inevitably be more vehicles entering the site but we do not anticipate additional disruption to the traffic flow or noise, or inconvenience to the local residents. Country Supplies is committed to maintaining a good working relationship with the local authorities and, above all, local residents. In addition we are a local employer and our small expansion will create further jobs which we feel is extremely positive in the present economic times."

Public comments are allowed on the planning application until February 22.

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