Neighbours have strongly objected to plans for a private horse arena citing it would have an impact on their "everyday life".

Planning permission is being sought by applicant Anna Stonex to erect "small-scale" domestic stables along with a new manege to a field adjacent to Over Edge, Brookhouse Lane, Congleton.

Specifically, consent has been requested for the erection of an American Barn style stable arrangement comprising of the equivalent of eight loose boxes to house the applicant's five houses.

Whilst five loose boxes would be used for stabling, the remaining space would provide dedicated stores to accommodate the horses feed, bedding, hay, and a small amount of ancillary equipment including that required to maintain the land, with an internal space that would be used as a wash area.

The application was discussed at Thursday's Congleton Town Council planning meeting.

Speaking in public participation, Julie Andrews of Meadow Brook Barn, neighbour to Over Edge, strongly objected to the planning application on numerous grounds.

Mrs Andrews highlighted that the proposed American barn would be situated only six metres from her residential home and garden.

Mrs Andrews added: "We consider the American barn by its location, close proximity and size to be extremely overbearing and dominant in every aspect to our home and garden.

"This project of an American barn, yard, vehicle access and manege significantly impacts on our residential amenities and everyday life including loss of privacy, sunlight and daylight alongside visual intrusion and environmental disturbances.

"We live in Timbersbrook, which is an area of outstanding natural beauty, the Gritstone Trail part of the National Trust is only 49m away and in full view of this development.

"Hundreds of walkers use this part of the trail weekly and I feel strongly that this will significantly impact the beautiful part of that trail.

"The sighting of the American barn stabling five horses only 6m from our property is not acceptable.

"Research has shown us that recommended guidelines state that a stable building should not be less than 30m away from residential properties."

In the applicant's design and access statement, which was submitted as part of the proposals, it states the proposed American barn was considered best placed the north of Over Edge, adjacent to the detached garage.

The design and access statement highlighted that the close proximity to the applicant's dwelling also entailed welfare benefits, with the applicant "more likely to hear a horse in distress compared to a more remote location further into the field".

Mrs Andrews pointed out that the applicant's house is allegedly 33m away from the proposed barn, but her property is only 6m away.

Mrs Andrews continued: "So if the applicant can hear horses in distress, imagine what we will hear every minute of every day."

Permission has also been sought to introduce a 60m x 30m horse manege with a wooden post and rail fencing.

Mrs Andrews felt that drainage matters had not been "fully researched" as she claimed the soil type within the vicinity was clay based.

Three small soak ways have been proposed that sit on the boundary of Mrs Andrews' land.

She added: "I feel that three small soak ways for a manege of this size is inadequate and will result in excess water coming onto our land and resulting in a possible cause of flooding.

"This manege is situated between two large agricultural fields on agricultural green belt land.

"The whole proposal is of enormous scale; I feel that this application does not represent a private leisure horse riding facility."

Cllr Amanda Martin told councillors that Mrs Andrews failed to mention that she had submitted a planning application on her own land, which was for a 4m single-storey three bay oak-based garage.

Cllr Martin reminded councillors that when that application went before the planning committee, it was deemed an intrusion into the green belt.

Cllr Martin said: "It is a smaller building then the proposal at Over Edge, and I would say to be consistent we ought to give the application before us the same verdict."

Cllr Robert Douglas felt the application was "overbearing" and proposed the town council objected to the plans.

After looking at the plans, Cllr Kay Wesley felt the plans did not look like a domestic stable for someone who owned a couple of horses, but instead she was "worried" about a potential change of use application in the future, and the area being turned into a riding school or a major equestrian centre.

However, in a report submitted alongside the application it stated that the stables and manege are to be "used solely for the keeping and exercising of the applicant's own horses and as such solely for private use".

The report added: "The applicant has kept and had a close and growing association with horses for much of their lives – almost 30 years.

"It has long since been a desire of theirs to acquire and/or develop their own equestrian facilities through which they can continue to practice their favoured past times in a more cost effective and all-round beneficial manner.

"The acquisition of Over Edge and the adjoining land followed a prolonged search for a site with the potential to respond to these needs.

"The applicant has invested significantly in renovating the property, aiming to move in during late January or February 2021 and shortly thereafter to bring their horses to the site too."

Cllr Duncan Amies thought the applicant was not "stuck for space" and could be a "good neighbour" by re-orientating the area so that the barn is not as "imposing" and as close to neighbouring properties.

Cllr Amies added: "They [the applicant] could solve the problem if they really wanted to do, yes there would be a big arena in there, but 500m further to the left you have got Brookhouse Equestrian.

"There are arenas and stable yards all around the area. If they re-orientated the building would you Mrs Andrews be objecting to it?"

Mrs Andrews cited the application's vehicle access point being "literally on our boundary" as a major issue.

She continued: "When we sit in our garden, we will actually probably be able to touch a vehicle going past our rear.

"This access point is so close to our boundary it is unbelievable. The courtyard where the vehicles will be coming through is not a direct line and it is a very narrow space.

"Any vehicles that come through there especially if they have got trailers on them, they come within maybe a metre of the corner of our building.

"I think if the arena were there, it would still be within a couple of metres of our garden. If this is going to be a riding facility, we will have no privacy in our garden whatsoever, we will be completely overlooked."

Congleton Town Council objected to the application on the following grounds:

- Overbearing

- Noise and disturbance from use

- Inadequate drainage

The last date for submitting comments on the application that can be viewed here is 10 February and Cheshire East Council has set 1 March as a decision target date.